FIFA has banned former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia from all football activity for life after being found guilty of accepting to receive bribes to manipulate matches.
The ex-Super Eagles star and handler was slapped with a life ban for agreeing to receive bribes for match fixing.
Siasia who led Nigeria U20 and Nigeria U23 teams to second-place finishes at the 2015 Fifa U20 World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics was also fined CHF 50,000 ((US$50,000).
According to the world’s football ruling body, the 52-year-old breached the 2009 edition of the Fifa Code of Ethics after investigations began on February 11 this year.
“The Ethics Committee has found Mr Siasia, a former official of the Nigeria Football Federation, guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes with the manipulation of matches in violation of the Fifa Code of Ethics,” said a Fifa statement.
Siasia, was banned “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 (US$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.”
Siasia is the second Nigerian tactician after Salisu Yusuf to have been punished as a result of involvement in bribery.
A closed source to Siasia revealed that the former Eagles gaffer will fight to clear his name. “I don’t know anything about this. I did nothing wrong and I have not received any letter from FIFA.” Siasia told the source.
Meanwhile, when LEADERSHIP Weekend asked Siasia for his reaction on the said ban, Siasia refused to make any comment saying that he will be holding a press conference today in Abuja.