FIFA Life Ban: NFF Ready To Help Samson Siasia

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says it is in shock over the life ban imposed on Samson Siasia by the FIFA Ethics Committee and is ready to help the former Super Eagles coach.

YaahooJournalist recalls that the world football’s governing body banned Siasia for life after being found guilty over bribery and manipulation of matches.

According to FIFA, Siasia was banned after 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 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.”

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

According to the statement, “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.

“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.”