Former Super Eagles player and coach Samson Siasia has officially completed a five-year ban imposed by FIFA for match-fixing allegations.
Initially handed a lifetime ban in 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) later reduced Siasia’s penalty to five years, deeming the original punishment excessive for a first-time offender who played a limited role in the offense.
The ban, which took effect on August 16, 2019, has now concluded. While Siasia has not publicly disclosed his future plans, there is speculation that he may assume a coaching position with Mighty Jets Football Club in Jos.
The match-fixing case dates back to 2010 when Siasia was approached by a match-fixer who offered him a coaching job at a club in exchange for fielding specific players.
Negotiations eventually broke down, and the deal did not materialize. CAS, in their ruling, emphasized the need for the punishment to act as a deterrent, though they acknowledged Siasia’s limited involvement.
Additionally, the CHF 50,000 fine initially imposed was set aside. Samson Siasia’s football career has been distinguished, both as a player and coach.
He earned 51 caps for Nigeria, scoring 13 goals, and was a member of the 1994 FIFA World Cup team and the 1994 African Nations Cup-winning squad.
As a coach, Siasia led Nigeria’s Under-20 team to the final of the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and secured the African Youth Championship title.
He also guided 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.
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