Samson Siasia, a former Super Eagles player and coach, has officially completed a five-year ban imposed by FIFA over match-fixing allegations. Initially handed a lifetime ban, Siasia saw his penalty reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2019, which ruled that a lifetime ban was excessive for a first-time offender who played a passive role in the offence.
The reduced ban, which took effect on August 16, 2019, has now concluded. While Siasia has not publicly confirmed his next steps, speculation is mounting that he may take up a coaching role with Mighty Jets Football Club in Jos.
The match-fixing case dates back to 2010, when a match-fixer tried to involve Siasia by offering him a coaching position at a club under the fixer’s control, in exchange for fielding certain players. However, negotiations fell through when the club either declined or was unable to meet Siasia’s demands, preventing the matter from progressing further.
In its ruling, CAS emphasized the importance of the punishment serving as a deterrent, while acknowledging that Siasia’s involvement in the offense was limited. Additionally, the imposed fine of CHF 50,000 was set aside by CAS.
Siasia’s football career has been distinguished both as a player and coach. He earned 51 caps for Nigeria, scoring 13 goals, and was part of the celebrated 1994 FIFA World Cup team and the African Nations Cup-winning squad that same year. As a coach, Siasia led Nigeria’s U-20 team to the final of the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and secured 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. In 2016, he briefly served as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
As Siasia’s ban concludes, the football world awaits his next move, with many hoping to see him return to the sport in a meaningful capacity.
