By MOHAMMED MOMOH

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Abuja,

Nigeria’s former national coach Samson Siasia has appealed against the life ban imposed on him by world football governing body Fifa.

In an August 16, 2019 letter, Fifa slapped him with a life ban and a 50,000 Swiss Francs ($50,000, 46,000 euros) fine after finding him guilty of taking bribes to fix matches.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Siasia said his lawyers filed the appeal against Fifa on August 27, while another appeal was filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on August 29.

He denied involvement in any illegal act.

“I wish to state that I have never been and would never be a party to any form of unethical conduct or perversion in the discharge of my duties in any capacity. I built my career in the football industry on the foundation of hard work, integrity, consistency and God.

“In all my career, I have done nothing but serve my country and clubs to the best of my personal and professional ability, with all my strength and might, with discipline, pride and passion and an awareness that it is a privilege to be an ambassador of our great nation.

“It is my greatest hope and belief that my country also stands by and with me at a time like this,” Siasia said.

He said he was not aware of the allegations and proceedings, and he only knew about the decision on August 16, the same day the news broke in the public domain.

“I was totally unaware of the proceedings until I heard about Fifa’s decision,” Siasia added.

Siasia thanked Nigerians for supporting him from the time he began playing in the youth league. The former coach also played for Super Eagles, French side Nantes and KSC Lokeren in Belgium.