World governing football body FIFA has banned Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia for life and fined $50,000 for agreeing to receive bribe in the manipulation of matches, according to a statement from FIFA.
Siasia was found guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches.
“The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found 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 statement reads.
“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 Siasia today, the date on which the ban comes into force.”
Siasia won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, for whom he played over 50 times while scoring 16 goals.
Siasia was coach of Nigeria between 2010-2011 and for a spell in 2016 but the time period when Fifa believes he committed his infractions is unclear.
He has also served as coach of the country’s Under-20 and Under-23 sides.
Siasia becomes the third African to be banned by FIFA for his links to Perumal after former Sierra Leone FA official Abu Bakarr Kabba and former Botswana FA official Mooketsi Kgotlele were suspended in July for five years and for life respectively.
Anthony Nlebem
