I am innocent, FIFA didn’t speak to me before ban- Samson Siasia
London, August 17, 2019-(AltAfrica)-Former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has broken silence on his life ban by the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA , saying he is innocent of the allegations.
Siasia also accused FIFA of bias lamenting that he was not spoken to or given the opportunity to defend himself before been pronounced guilty of offence he vigorously denied
RELATED: FIFA BANS EX NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL, SAMSON SIASIA FOR LIFE OVER ALLEGED BRIBERY
FIFA had on Friday slammed a life ban on Siasia. In addition, he was fined $50,000 for agreeing to ‘the manipulation of matches.’
Siasia was coach of Nigeria between 2010-2011 and for a spell in 2016. He was also coach of Under 20 and Under 23.
FIFA did not state when he committed the infractions, but said the ex-Nigeria international has been notified.
Siasia is the third African to be banned by FIFA. Former Sierra Leone FA official Abu Bakarr Kabba and former Botswana FA official Mooketsi Kgotlele were suspended in July for five years and for life respectively.
The sanction stems from an ongoing ‘large-scale investigation’ FIFA is conducting into the behaviour of Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer from Singapore.
However, Siasia said he was shocked that FIFA could take such action without hearing from him.
