Former Super Eagles player and coach, Samson Siasia, who was originally handed a lifetime ban but was later reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in 2019, after ruling that a lifetime ban was excessive for a first-time offender who played a passive role in the offense has officially completed a five-year ban imposed by FIFA over match-fixing allegations.
The match-fixing case dates back to 2010 when a match-fixer tried to involve Siasia by offering him a coaching job at a club under his control in exchange for fielding certain players. However, negotiations broke down after the club either declined or was unable to meet Siasia’s demands, and the matter did not progress further.
CAS, in their ruling, emphasized the need for the punishment to serve as a deterrent, though they acknowledged that Siasia’s involvement was limited. The imposed fine of CHF 50,000 was also set aside by CAS.
The reduced ban, effective from August 16, 2019, has now ended. Although Siasia has not publicly confirmed his next steps, speculation has it that he may take up a coaching role with Mighty Jets Football Club in Jos.
We wish him well in his future endeavors.
