'Shocked' Nigeria FA want to help baned coach Siasia clear his name

Fri, 20 Sep 2019

'Shocked' Nigeria FA want to help baned coach Siasia clear his name

News24
20 Aug 2019, 08:12 GMT+10

Abuja - The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Monday that they were "shocked" by a life ban on former national coach Samson Siasia by FIFA for bribery, vowing to overturn it.

On Friday, the governing body of world football banned Siasia, 52, from football, following a long-running investigation into convicted match-fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal.

After his arrest, Perumal collaborated with investigators.

FIFA's Ethics Committee found Siasia "guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics."

Siasia, a striker, played 51 times for Nigeria and had two short spells as national coach.

Acting NFF president Seyi Akinwunmi said in a statement that the FIFA report had been give to the body's lawyers "to study and provide legal advice to the federation," he said, adding that Siasia "gave his all for Nigeria."

"The NFF was shocked to learn of the investigation and subsequent decision by the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber) placing a life ban on Mr. Samson Siasia," said the statement.

"Siasia is a football legend but most importantly he is a Nigerian", he said.

"We respect the FIFA processes", said Akinwunmi but added, "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."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Herald Globe.

More Information

International

Section

World economic growth is 'fragile,' Lagarde says

World economic growth is "fragile" and "under threat," former International Monetary Fund director Christine Lagarde says, and is over-reliant on ...

Saudis claim sources close to Iranian regime responsible for attacks

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - The government of Saudi Arabia says the attacks on its Saudi Aramco oil infrastructure on Saturday ...

Vietnam, Fastest-Growing Carbon Polluter

HO CHI MINH CITY - Carbon emissions are growing faster in Vietnam than any other country in the world, according ...

Rights Groups Urge Release of Journalists in Eritrea

In 2002, newspaper editor Aaron Berhane fled his home country of Eritrea for security reasons, after his paper criticized the ...

Cameroon Courts Paralyzed as Lawyers Strike Over HumanRights Violation

YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - Cameroon's law courts are at a standstill as lawyers for a third day Wednesday defy government threats ...

Proponents of war causing carnage on unprecedented scale

Proponents of war the world over are causing carnage on an unprecedented scale with most of the casualties being civilians.War ...

Sports

Section

Molefi Ntseki chats to Sport24

Cape Town - In an exclusive interview, newly-appointed Bafana Bafana coach MOLEFI NTSEKI talks about the state of SA football, ...

US Military Vows to Defend US Elections

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is joining federal, state and local officials on the frontlines of the battle to protect ...

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan joins NorthEast United FC

New Delhi [India], Sept 20 (ANI): NorthEast United FC have confirmed the arrival of former Premier League player and Ghana ...

'Dream come true' as teen Saka shines for Arsenal in Europe

Frankfurt - Teenage winger Bukayo Saka said it was a "dream come true" to score his first goal for Arsenal ...

Celtic battle back to draw with Rennes in Europa League

Rennes - Ryan Christie scored a second-half penalty as Celtic kicked off their Europa League group-stage campaign with a battling ...

Hudson-Odoi agrees new 5-year deal at Chelsea

London - Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi quashed speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal with the Premier ...

Movie Review

Steamboat Bill, Jr. [Blu-Ray]