FIFA bans Samson Siasia for life for accepting bribes

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Earlier today, the Adjudicatory Chamber of the independent ethics committee of the world football regulator, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced that it has banned former Super Eagles striker and Coach, Samson Siasia for life.

In what will be seen as an indictment on the state of Nigerian football, FIFA’s investigation was triggered when disciplinary proceedings were opened after a vast investigation into various international matches that Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer, had attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. In its statement, it 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. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 50,000 has been imposed on Mr Siasia.”