FIFA Ban: Samson Siasia Hits Back- I Am Innocent

Former Super Eagles player and manager has vowed to clear his name after he was banned from all football related activities for life.

The world football governing body banned the former Flying Eagles’ manager for accepting bribes in an attempt to manipulate matches.  According to a media release from FIFA’s Ethics Committee, the former Nigerian international was banned from all football related activities and was fined ₦ 18,558,701.75.

A FIFA statement read:  The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr Samson Siasia, a former official of the Nigeria Football Federation, guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

The formal ethics proceedings against Mr Siasia were initiated on 11 February 2019 and stem from an extensive investigation into matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIFA via its competent departments and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.

In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Siasia had breached art. 11 (Bribery) of the 2009 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics and banned him for life from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 50,000 has been imposed on Mr Siasia. The decision was notified to Mr Siasia today, the date on which the ban comes into force.

However, Siasia has denied any wrongdoing, saying he did not receive any letter from FIFA and has vowed to clear his name. According to Collin Udoh who spoke with him shortly after the news broke out, the 52-year-old said he did not know anything about the ban.