Samson Siasia Vows to Return Stronger After FIFA Ban

• Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, anticipates a strong return in 2024 after the Court of Arbitration for Sports reduced his FIFA ban to five years
• Siasia expresses determination to rebuild and move forward after the emotional setback of a FIFA ban in 2019

Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, is gearing up for a return, aiming to emerge even stronger following his five-year FIFA ban set to conclude in August 2024.

Siasia, a renowned ex-Super Eagles star and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, faced a severe setback in August 2019 when FIFA, the global football governing body, imposed a lifetime ban and a 50,000 Swiss Francs fine. Allegedly, he was involved in accepting bribes to manipulate match outcomes, a charge arising from a comprehensive investigation into matches linked to convicted Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Perumal.

Despite strenuous objections, Siasia appealed the decision, asserting a lack of substantial evidence supporting the FIFA ban. Following his appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) not only reduced the life sentence to five years but also dismissed the hefty fine, deeming it “disproportionate for a first offence committed passively and with no adverse or immediate effect on football stakeholders.”

Reflecting on the ordeal, Siasia, in anticipation of his return in 2024, expressed determination, stating, “The year is 2024, and it’s almost over. So all I have to do now is rebuild to move forward. Before the ban, I was excelling as a coach. Despite the setback, I’ll be returning bigger and stronger.”

Acknowledging the emotional toll, Siasia admitted that the FIFA ban shattered him, considering his lifelong association with football, both as a player and a coach. “They accuse you of something that never happened. It’s extremely painful. And then you’re banned for life for something you didn’t do. There is no evidence to support the claim. But all the same, it’s almost over,” he added, underscoring the resilience needed for his imminent resurgence.