Dusan Vlahovic forced to deny ‘absurd’ claims he is having affair with Serbia World Cup team-mate’s wife
SERBIA star Dusan Vlahovic has strongly dismissed claims he is having an affair with his team-mate's wife.
The Juventus striker has played just 24 minutes in Qatar despite an impressive record of nine goals in 18 games for his country.
That has sparked claims Vlahovic is being left out because he is having an affair with Ana Cakic, the wife of Serbia's reserve goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Vlahovic has hit back by denying the claims and slamming his accusers, suggesting they are acting out of spite.
He said at a press conference ahead of Serbia's key clash against Switzerland: "I am sorry to have to start the press conference in the World Cup this way, but I have to talk about it because this is my name being bandied about.
"What we all read and hear about, there's no need to comment on something so absurd.
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"Evidently 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 job right now.
"We are more united than ever and the atmosphere in the squad has never been better. These stories are ridiculous, I just want to protect my name and my integrity, so I will take legal action if necessary.
"It's not the first time this has happened, I would've hoped that people would support the team before such an important match, but instead we are forced to talk about things that have nothing to do with it.
"These are people with empty CVs who achieved nothing, but they will certainly not get extra attention off my name. They have always been small people and prove it day by day."
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Serbia take on Switzerland on Friday in their final group game and only a win will be enough to see them through to the knock-out round.
Vlahovic will be hoping to make an impact after making just one substitute appearance against Brazil in Serbia's opening game.
Rajkovic married Ana in 2018 and they have two children together.
Ana also denied the rumours, stating: "We've survived worse, believe me.
"Thanks to all the journalists who ignored me and didn't publish anything about Tadija's health condition, and the other people who think it's best to attack a wounded lion got a little carried away, because the pack is defending it! Thank you!"