Callum Hudson-Odoi bizarrely forced to deny he was part of Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal after Nottingham Forest star appears on list of people involved

On a false list put circulated on X, the 23-year-old found his name alongside with other celebrities who had allegedly visited Epstein's private island. However, in a statement on Instagram, he clarified that he had never had any involvement with the disgraced financier.

@calteck10 Instagram

Hudson-Odoi wrote on Instagram: "I have seen this circulating around social media for a while now, and I wasn't going to comment on it as it is absurd (and I would've been a child at the time); however, understanding my position as a role model, I would like to make it absolutely clear that I have never been part of the Epstein scandal nor have l ever been to Epstein island; so please stop tagging me in these posts. Thank you."

The list is suspected to be pertaining to celebrities who contracted Covid-19 in 2020, with Hudson-Odoi being one of the first sportsmen to catch the virus. The files in question are part of a defamation case against Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving 20 years for sex trafficking underage girls. Names of more than 170 individuals are set to be made public following a US judge's order, with the first documents released recently.

Hudson-Odoi's denial emphasizes the potential harm caused by misinformation on social media, particularly regarding sensitive matters like the Epstein case. The forward left Chelsea in the summer and joined the Trees after he failed to nail down a starting berth at Stamford Bridge. He has made 12 appearances so far and has a goal and an assist to his name. He should return to action against Blackpool in an FA Cup third-round tie on Sunday.