FIFA Ban: NFF, FG Have Neglected Me- Former Super Eagles Star

Ex international, Samson Siasia has expressed disappointment at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Federal Government for their lack of support in his quest to clear his name for been wrongly accused, banned and fined by FIFA for an offence he never committed.

Recall that On August 16, 2019, the world governing body banned the former Nantes forward from all football activity for life after being found guilty of accepting bribes to manipulate matches.

Siasia, who led Nigeria U20 and U23 teams to second-place finishes at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was also fined CHF 50,000 ($51K).

Although the former Super Eagles head coach has appealed the ban levelled against him by FIFA, he told Sports Extra that the NFF and the FG are not showing concern to his plights.

“I do not want to interfere with my lawyers’ professional course of duty, but my family and I are pained that the Nigeria Football Federation and other agencies of Government are yet (in spite of promises) to lift a finger in my support.

“No overtures have been made to my lawyer and me with support, financially and otherwise officially, all I have heard from Mr Pinnick through my wife is that they will be supportive, it’s a mantra I have been hearing since August when this matter happened up till date.”

Siasia played for the Nigeria national team for 15 years, between 1984 and 1999, accumulating 51 caps and scoring 16 goals in his career for the Super Eagles.