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NFF Lawyers To Back Siasia On FIFA Life Ban

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Samson Siasia
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed shock over the life ban imposed on Samson Siasia by the FIFA Ethics Committee.

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.

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FIFA 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.

The football world governing body subsequently announced a life ban on Siasia “from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level” and fined him CHF 50,000 (41,997.1 pounds).”

Reacting in a statement on Monday, NFF 2nd Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, said its team of lawyers are reviewing the life ban sanction imposed on  Siasia.

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He said, “The NFF was shocked to learn of the investigation and the subsequent decision by the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber) placing a life ban on Siasia. But we have however now received documents, including one known as the Motivated Decision, and we have handed them to our lawyers to study and provide legal advice to the Federation.

“It is a massive sanction on one of our legends. Siasia is a football legend but most importantly he is a Nigerian. We must therefore be interested in the matter and be properly advised.

“Siasia gave his all for Nigeria, playing for the U20 team right from his secondary school days and then for the senior team for several years, and also coaching the U20 and U23 teams and the Super Eagles.

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“While we respect the FIFA processes and appreciate that an investigation was conducted prior to the decision, the least we as a Federation can do is empathise with him at this time, make ourselves available to him and hope that in some way he is able to clear his name as he has promised to do.”