A FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker has been cleared of trying to fix a Swedish Premier League match last year.

Dickson Etuhu, one of Steve Kean's final signings, had been charged with gross misconduct over allegations he had attempted to convince AIK's goalkeeper to throw a game with IFK Gothenburg in May 2017.

Prosecutors alleged 36-year-old Etuhu, a Nigerian international, had made the approach to Kenny Stamatopoulos at a restaurant near AIK's training complex.

The circumstances led to the game eventually being postponed.

Stamatopoulos, capped by Canada, and his coach Rikard Norling were both called to give evidence during the hearing at Stockholm's District Court.

But Etuhu, who also played for Manchester City, Preston and Fulham during a 14-year stint in the British game, insisted any contact between the pair must have been misconstrued.

He told a Swedish newspaper: "I respect everyone's opinion but the facts remain the same - it never happened.

"It's unbelievable that an ordinary conversation with a friend can lead to something like this."

And following a week-long hearing, the verdict went in the former Blue's favour.

Acquitting Etuhu, the court ruled: "To discuss a crime only in general terms is typically not punishable."

The player, who appeared 23 times for Rovers over two injury-hit seasons at Ewood, had been facing a maximum six-year prison term, if convicted, though prosecutors would have been content with a two-year sentence.

It is understood that Etuhu has now started a new career as a football agent.