Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enugu Rangers, have denied claims by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon that he was not given a contract after a three-month trial because he was not Igbo.
Simon, who currently plays for French Ligue 1 club Paris FC, made the claim in an interview with UrbanDwellSport.
The 30-year-old disclosed that he spent three months training with the club, believing he had done enough to earn a professional contract.
He stated that members of the coaching staff were impressed with his performances during the trial period.
“I went to Rangers and trained with them for three months. I wasn’t signed but I was training with them. In fact, I was the captain of the ‘screening’ team,” Simon said.
“I’ve never told anyone this story, this is the first time, but it was a disgrace, I was dropped because I was not Igbo.
“I was there for three months and a guy came I have forgotten his name, he’s an Ibo guy, he just trained one week and they signed him, professional contract, they said because I was from the north or something.”
Reacting to the claim Rangers, in an official statement posted on the club’s official X account on Friday, said it respects every player’s right to recount personal experiences but insisted it has “never maintained, and does not maintain, any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin.”
“While we respect every player’s right to recount his personal journey, it is important to clearly state that Rangers International FC has never maintained, and does not maintain, any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin,” the statement read.
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“For over five decades, Rangers has stood as one of Nigeria’s foremost national football institutions. Although proudly rooted in Enugu and the South-East, the club has always belonged to Nigeria.
“Throughout its rich history, Rangers has been home to players, coaches and officials from virtually every part of the country and the continent, all united by one objective: excellence on the football pitch.”
The club also dismissed suggestions that ethnicity has ever influenced its recruitment process, saying football ability and character remain the yardstick.
“The club’s recruitment philosophy has always been based on footballing ability, character, discipline and commitment, not ethnic identity.
“Thousands of players have passed through Rangers over the years. Some earned contracts, others did not. Such decisions are part of football and are influenced by numerous sporting, technical and administrative considerations. It would therefore be inaccurate to characterise Rangers as an institution that discriminates against players because of their ethnicity.”
Rangers added that the current administration has deliberately strengthened its commitment to professionalism, meritocracy, diversity and inclusion, noting that the club’s men’s, women’s and youth teams continue to recruit talented footballers from every part of Nigeria and beyond.
The club pointed out that it remains committed to ensuring equal opportunities for every player regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin.
“Rangers remains committed to providing equal opportunities to every talented player regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin. The values that define this great club are excellence, integrity, discipline, hard work and unity.
“As one of Nigeria’s most historic football institutions, Rangers will continue to serve as a symbol of national integration, where talent speaks louder than tribe and performance remains the ultimate criterion for opportunity.”
By James Agberebi
