Former Super Eagles Coach, Siasia Completes Five-Year FIFA Ban for Match-Fixing

The former coach of Nigeria's national football team, Samson Siasia the Super Eagles, has officially completed a five-year ban imposed by FIFA due to match-fixing allegations.

This marks a milestone in his career and a moment of redemption for the celebrated football figure.

Initially handed a lifetime ban, Siasia's penalty was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in 2019.

The CAS ruling acknowledged that a lifetime ban was excessive for a first-time offender who played a passive role in the offence.

The reduced ban took effect from August 16, 2019, and has now concluded.

The match-fixing case dates back to 2010 when a match-fixer attempted 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 emphasized the need for the punishment to serve as a deterrent, though they acknowledged Siasia’s limited involvement.

The imposed fine of CHF 50,000 was also set aside by CAS. Reflecting on his illustrious career, Siasia earned 51 caps for Nigeria, scoring 13 goals. He was part of the celebrated 1994 FIFA World Cup team and the 1994 African Nations Cup-winning squad.

As a coach, he led Nigeria's Under-20 team to the final of the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the African Youth Championship title.

He also coached Nigeria’s U-23 team to a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Siasia briefly served as head coach of the Super Eagles in 2016. While Siasia has not publicly confirmed his next steps, speculation is rife that he may take up a coaching role with Mighty Jets Football Club in Jos. His return to the football scene is highly anticipated, given his contributions to Nigerian football and the stringent measures against corruption in sports.

As Siasia steps into this new chapter, the football community watches closely, hopeful that his experience will serve as a lesson and a beacon for integrity in the sport.