Former Nigeria U-20 and U-23 assistant coach Simon Kalika has urged Samson Siasia to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and challenge FIFA’s decision to ban him from the game.
FIFA announced a life ban and fine of CHF 50, 000 ($51,000) for Siasia, following their investigations into reports that the former Super Eagles attacker agreed to receive a bribe in order to help bet companies fix matches.
While reacting to FIFA’s verdict, Kalika said FIFA decision to ban Siasia lacked clarity, as the World football governing body failed to provide details on where, when and how the offense was committed.
“For me, its a strange decision by FIFA. It’s strange and ridiculous because no details were provided by FIFA as regards when the alleged offense was committed.”
“There was no clear mention of the year, month or even the match in question or even the player/agent through whom Siasia allegedly committed the footballing offense.”
“I find it more strange because, FIFA used to inform the alleged offender and also his federation, (NFF in this case).”
The coach turned agent however admitted that match-fixing is a serious allegation, which is strong enough to ruin the career of the accused, and urged Siasia to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland in order to clear his name.
“Yeah, Siasia has name and integrity. I don’t know what is in his mind at the moment, But, if you ask me, going to the court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS, won’t be out of place, If that is what has to be done to prove his innocence.”
Kalika was Siasia’s assistant at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland and 2008 Olympic game in Beijing, with the pair helping Nigeria to a silver medal finish in both tournaments.
Meanwhile, Nigeria football federation had since stepped into the matter and offered to help the embattled 52-year-old coach who still has his mother in the captivity of kidnappers with legal advice.
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