Former Super Eagles and Olympic Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, has revealed that his ban from football-related activities imposed by FIFA will come to an end in 2024, contrary to his earlier belief that it would conclude this year.
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Samson Siasia, who led the U-20 Flying Eagles to a silver medal at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands and secured an Olympic silver medal in 2008, shared this information during a radio interview on Kennis 104.1FM.
He expressed his initial excitement at the prospect of the ban ending in 2023 but clarified that a thorough examination of the FIFA documents revealed he would return to football next year.
“In August 2024, I will be free from the FIFA ban, and hopefully, I will be back to football,” Siasia stated. He candidly discussed the challenges he faced during the years of absence from the sport he loves and mentioned his diligent preparations for a comeback.
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Siasia’s ban stemmed from allegations of involvement in attempts to manipulate international matches for betting purposes. FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings based on an extensive investigation into match-fixing efforts by Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer.
The initial punishment was a lifetime ban from football-related activities.
However, following a partial appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) by Samson Siasia, the ban was subsequently reduced to a five-year suspension.
Samson Siasia expressed his gratitude to God for this reduction and stressed that he had learned important lessons during the ordeal.
The former Super Eagles coach’s eagerness to return to football is evident, and he is diligently preparing himself for a triumphant comeback once the ban expires.
The football community will undoubtedly be watching with interest as Samson Siasia aims to re-enter the sport he is so passionate about in 2024.
