Gist
Nigerians React To FIFA’s Ban On Samson Siasia
A storm of reactions by Nigerians has greeted that latest ban placed on Samson Siasia, a former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
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.
FIAFA 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.
A statement from FIFA reads as thus: “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,” FIFA said in its statement.
Reacting to the ban in a short interview with Collin Udoh, a sports analyst, and former Super Eagles spokesman, Siasia said he was not invited for questioning by FIFA before world football’s governing body reached its decision.
“I don’t know anything about this. I did nothing wrong and I have not received any letter from FIFA,” Udoh quoted Siasia to have said.
Moments after the news broke, Nigerians took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to express their opinions on the ban placed on Siasia by FIFA.
Naija News captured some of the reactions below…
If this is true then, this is too bad. Damaging not only your image, but Nigeria as a country.
Samson Siasia banned for life from all football activities by FIFA.Must Nigeria be connected with Fraud? pic.twitter.com/ij7r1jL5yf
— Pogllins ? (@Pog_llins) August 16, 2019
Samson siasia is wicked he couldn't even give the correct score to bettors in naija…. people are cruel #TachaAsEdeyHot #siasia pic.twitter.com/Ut24cBQW2f
— HashBury Efefiom (@IamHashBury) August 16, 2019
Staggering news from @FIFAcom concerning ex #Nigeria coach Samson Siasia – who has been BANNED FOR LIFE for agreeing 'to receive bribes (for) the manipulation of matches'. Siasia was in charge of Nigeria from 2010-11 and in 2016, but also in charge of some of its youth teams too pic.twitter.com/UQlzNOuV0z
— Piers Edwards (@piers_e) August 16, 2019
Samson siasia…. Bloody shit.
Terrible way to exit the football world.— Stella Oshorinde (@StellaOshorinde) August 16, 2019
Tueh …not 7 or 8 players confides in me in the past that Samson Siasia asked them to bring money before they can get an invitation to the national team … That man stinks of corruption… I am not surprised pic.twitter.com/4YqvyfwpaF
— ?KING OF LAGOS(MFR) (@Derek74399105) August 16, 2019
Samson Siasia found guilty and served.
Samson Siasia has claimed he's not notified yet.
Samson Siasia has fervently said he will clear his name.If all eventually drops on Samson Siasia, I will urge @officialEFCC to take it up from there as the ban won't be enough.
Case close! pic.twitter.com/8tPWRqjmGZ
— Suara Abass (@SuaraOfficial) August 16, 2019
Samson siasia should just buy this bike with the small change remaining because after now in go red for am pic.twitter.com/m1xFhujL8x
— PH CHIEF PRIEST ⚪ (@Ekpemoriri99) August 16, 2019
For accepting to take bribe not that he has taken the bribe ooo@FIFAcom why?
Samson Siasia ordinary correct score(s) we didn't see ooo
— MAQ?? (@maq_antoni) August 16, 2019
"sAmSoN siASia hAs fUtHEr rUiNed tHe rEPuTAtion Of NigEria" yen yen yen.
When Platini and Sepp Blatter were banned for recieving bribes. Did they ruin the reputation of France and Switzerland respectively?
Siasia ruined "his" own reputation. He doesn't represent all of us abeg.
— Olóyè. Oluniyi Gates (@OluniyiGates) August 16, 2019
So Samson Siasia has been speaking to a couple of colleagues saying he didn't do the crime.
FIFA won't come out to say this without substantial evidence.
This will be interesting.
But please make una no fix Bayern vs Hertha Berlin…na God I take beg una
— Olawale Omo Adigun (@olywal) August 16, 2019
The Singaporean man who exposed Samson siasia…famz he is a match fixer too
Behold the guy who cast awon bet slips? pic.twitter.com/rJVXRua9vV
— Immortal ken (@chikogu_Kenneth) August 16, 2019
When you realize the match Samson Siasia fixed is the only match that cut your 200k ticket pic.twitter.com/cW2btJQMHJ
— Slimkally (@Slimkally) August 16, 2019
