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Samson Siasia Breaks Silence On Latest FIFA Ban

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Samson Siasia

Samson Siasia, a former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, says he is not aware of his ban by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Naija News had reported earlier that Siasia was banned for life by FIFA after being found guilty over bribery and manipulation of matches.

This online news platform understands that the world football’s governing body said Siasia has been banned from all football-related activities over attempts to rig matches at international level.

FIAFA said it opened disciplinary proceedings after a vast investigation into various international matches that Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer, had attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.

A statement from FIFA reads as thus: “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,” FIFA statement said.

“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,” FIFA said in its statement.

Reacting to the ban in a short interview with Collin Udoh, a sports analyst and former Super Eagles spokesman,  Siasia said he was not invited for questioning by FIFA before world football’s governing body reached its decision.

“I don’t know anything about this. I did nothing wrong and I have not received any letter from FIFA,” Udoh quoted Siasia to have said.