James Coppinger denies horse racing betting charge by BHA

James Coppinger

Nottingham Forest winger James Coppinger has denied any involvement in alleged horse racing corruption.

Coppinger is one of three footballers among a group charged by the British Horseracing Authority over a probe into "suspicious betting activity".

"I am here to state categorically that I have never been involved in any horse race fixing whatsoever," he said.

Ipswich's Michael Chopra, ex-Manchester United player Mark Wilson and six others have also been charged.

The group, which includes jockey Andrew Heffernan, is accused of "serious breaches of the rules of racing". The allegations made by the BHA focus on gambling on horses to lose on betting exchanges.

The BHA said the races at the centre of the investigation took place between 1 November 2010 and 31 March 2011.

Coppinger, 31, is currently on loan at Forest from League One side Doncaster Rovers.

In a statement issued on Forest's website, he added: "I can confirm that I have never done anything which brings Doncaster Rovers, Nottingham Forest, myself or my family into disrepute. I will welcome the hearing in January to totally clear my name.