Sports
LIFE BAN: ‘This is character assassination’ – Siasia to challenge FIFA claims
Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has expressed surprise to the news of a life ban handed to him by the world football governing body, FIFA.
Sisia was banned for life and fined $50,000 by Fifa on Friday evening for allegedly being guilty of accepting to receive bribe and manipulate matches.
The statement by the Ethics Committee however failed to name the actual matches that Siasia agreed to help betting baron, Wilson Raj Perumal, to manipulate; but Siasia has denied any knowledge of the investigation.
“I am innocent of the claims by FIFA,” the former Nigeria international told CSN.
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“I will challenge it to the highest level. Nobody told me of any investigation and I don’t have any dealings with Wilson Raj Perumal who was investigated for betting by FIFA as claimed by FIFA.
“This is character assassination and I cannot allow it to just go unchallenged. I must get Justice because I am innocent. I don’t know where this came from, somebody must be out there trying to ruin me but God will vindicate me.”
Siasia was coach of the Super Eagles between 2010-2011 and for a spell in 2016, and also served as coach of the Nigeria’s Under-20 and Under-23 sides.
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