Francis Benali denies Claus Lundekvam spot-fixing claims

Francis Benali has denied claims from former Southampton teammate Claus Lundekvam that players at the club were involved in spot-fixing.

Lundekvam, who was with the south coast side from 1996 to 2008, recently told Norwegian television that players would bet on such markets as who would get the first yellow card and who would win the first corner.

FIFA have now launched an investigation into the claims.

Former Saints captain Benali, who enjoyed a 17-year spell with the club, has now said that he was unaware of such a culture in the dressing room.

"I can say categorically I have no knowledge of the betting allegations made by Claus," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I wasn't aware of it going on in the past so I certainly don't know of it going on now.

"The way it has come across, it's like all of us were at it and all in on the betting scam and everyone had knowledge of it. That wasn't the case."

Lundekvam retired from football in 2008 after he suffered a serious ankle injury.