On-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder James Coppinger has categorically denied being involved in horse race fixing.
Coppinger was one of nine people, including Ipswich striker Michael Chopra and jockey Andrew Heffernan, charged on Thursday in connection with race-fixing by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
But the 31-year-old, on loan at Forest from Doncaster, said in a statement on Forest's official website, www.nottinghamforest.co.uk: "I am here to state categorically that I have never been involved in any horse race fixing whatsoever."
He added: "I can confirm that I have never done anything which brings Doncaster Rovers, Nottingham Forest, myself or my family into disrepute, and I will welcome the hearing in January to totally clear my name."
All face bans from involvement with racing for several years if the charges are found proven.
The charges relate to a period between November 2010 and March 2011.
Source: PA
