By Kennedy Pwaspo.
The world football governing body, FIFA has banned former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level for life.
According to FIFA, Siasia’s ban was consequent upon his involvement in bribery and attempt to manipulate matches at the international level.
A statement from FIFA said: “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.
“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.”
The world football governing body also imposed a fine of CHF 50,000 (N18,569,612.75) on Siasia.
“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”, the statement added.
