FIFA ban Samson Siasia for life for accepting bribe

Samson Siasia during Nigeria vs Ghana match

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has been banned from football for life after he was found guilty of match-fixing by World football governing body FIFA.

Below is an excerpt from the statement FIFA released on Friday:

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.

The decision was notified to Mr Siasia today, the date on which the ban comes into force.

This 51-year old Siasia has 51 caps for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and he was the head coach of different national youth sides, he was later in charge of the Super Eagles in 2016.

The case is part of the recent outcomes from FIFA's investigation of Singaporean Wilson Raj, who FIFA has labeled a "known match-fixer" and has confessed to it in various interviews.

FIFA announced that Siasia has been banned for life "from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international levels."

Siasia has also been fined CHF 50,000 (N18,555,06.75).