Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has revealed that the federal government, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and some other stakeholders mostly within the sports circle abandoned him in thick of ban imposed on by world football governing body FIFA.
Siasia who addressed the sporting media on Friday in Abuja expressed delight with the judgement of Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which has now reduced his football ban to five years after initial life ban pronouncement by FIFA.
The former under 20 and 23 national team handler further commended the Nigerian media particularly Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), and others for standing with him.
Siasia said, “Even my close friends abandoned me. I have been left out of legend game organised by FIFA, I don’t know what I did to them even when I wasn’t guilty of bribery. This my issue is supposed to be a government problem.
“When the life ban pronouncement was first declared by FIFA, I met with the Minister of Youth and Sports development who barely resumed office and briefed him, all the Minister could say is there’s no money.
“Is the president not watching or reading news? I have invested in human beings in this country by training lots of young players who are stars today.
“How will I fight FIFA? I don’t have that strength but the government can stand up and stand for me but everyone left me in the dark.
“I want to thank CAS for their judgement which has given me hope to return back to what I know how best to do. I’m happy I’m gradually out of the hook because in a couple of years I will go back to what I know how best to do.”
On whether he was ready to appeal CAS judgement, Siasia who played for Super Eagles and was part of those that won 1994 Nations Cup said, “I will have to meet with my lawyers and think what next to do in the next couple of days… If I’m to go for appeal, we have to be sure of what will come out of it. I don’t want to think or talk about how much has been spent. If I have to appeal to CAS I’m going to cough out atleast £100, 000 to pay.”
An associate of Siasia, Opukiri Jones-Ere, lashed NFF’s hierachy for neglecting who he described as a legend in the country’s soccer history.
“It’s very unfortunate that not even a word came from NFF. It’s not just appalling but disappointing. If Nigeria football can’t come out to say anything, it’s rather regrettable. NFF has not come to say may be there’s no money but we are behind you even when the current NFF president is from the same side of the country. Other African nations are watching.
“Instead, in the peak of the trial, even an official vehicle with Siasia was withdrawn from him.”
Siasia’s ban which was announced in 2019 was however reduced to five years by CAS few days ago.
