Serbian Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic has denied allegations that he has been having an affair with the wife of one of his international teammates.
Reports from Serbia have suggested that the 22-year-old has been sleeping with Ana Cakic, the wife of reserve goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, while Nemanja Gudelj from Sevilla is reported to be having an affair with Sofija Milosevic, the partner of Fiorentina striker Luka Jovic.
It has been speculated that Vlahovic missed out on Serbia‘s 3-3 draw against Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for this reason, but he vehemently denied the affair and said that was not the reason for his absence against the Indomitable Lions.
Vlahovic denies Serbia affair claims
“I’m sorry to have to start a press conference at the World Cup in this way, but I have to talk about it because there is talk about me,” he said.
“What we’ve all read and heard… there is no need to comment on something so absurd. Obviously, these people are bored and have nothing better to do because they are frustrated or angry, but working against the national interest of the team at the moment is obviously their main priority.
“These stories are ridiculous, I just want to protect my name and my integrity, so I will take legal action if necessary.
“I did not play because I was not fit enough, but now I feel better and I am fully focused on the next match.”
Cakic, the wife of Rajkovic, also went onto social media to deny the affair and revealed that she is back in Serbia looking after her son, who is in hospital. Meanwhile, Gudelj and Jovic posted a photo with the two of them joking around together.
Could this scandal derail any hopes of Serbia progressing at the World Cup?
Serbia currently sit at the bottom of Group G with just one point from two games, and they have to beat Switzerland on Friday as well as hope Cameroon don’t achieve the same result against Brazil.
Vlahovic made a cameo appearance off the bench in the 2-0 defeat to Brazil whereas Jovic has not played a single minute of football in Qatar so far.
Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic will have a big job on his hands trying to keep his team focused on football, and also trying to be more bold with his selections and tactics.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic being isolated up front in the first two matches, a striker with the physique and prolificacy of Vlahovic would be a great foil for the Fulham forward, and Jovic, if he is in the mood, can also add some extra finishing touch in the box.
With the recent board resignations at Juventus, the club does not need any more negative coverage in any regard.
