Samson Siasia says he’s is confident of raising the 100,000 Swiss Francs (N36.4m) appeal fee demanded by the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS, before his appeal on the FIFA life ban from football and $50.000 fine over allegations of complicity in match fixing could be entertained, Completesports.com reports.
“At the moment, not much has really come in. But I’m confident that before this month (February) ends, individuals and corporate bodies who want to render financial assistance would be able to respond positively,” Siasia told Completesports.com.
“There are promises here and there. And, of course, you know the situation in the country at the moment. But I still remain optimistic, given their words of promises that at most, by this February ending, I should be able to get enough financial assistance to sort things out”.
Asked about the allegations of his involvement in a match fixing, Siasia reacted sharply.
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“That’s not correct. Nigerians know me too well. How can I get involved in match fixing, knowingly or not? ,” he said.
“What happened was that I was discussing with an agent over a job offer in an undisclosed Australian club. The job did not eventually come through anyway.
“But I was made to understand later that the man had previously been associated with match fixing.
“Mine was just an honest discussion for job offer which never came through in the end.”
Siasia swiftly headed for the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS, in Lausanne, Switzerland, confident oof proving his innocence and getting the FIFA ban reversed.
But he has a huge 100, 000 Swiss Francs (about N36.4m) appeal fee to pay before his appeal could be entertained.
‘SiaOne’, as the 1994 Super Eagles World Cup star is called by his fans, was initially given until October 10, 2019 to make the payment or forget his appeal.
Unable to raise the huge amount and the deadline approached, Siasia got his lawyers to move quickly to make strong case to CAS before he was given a five-month grace.
“My lawyers made a strong appeal to CAS and now the case has been moved to March 19, 2020”, Siasia, the Nigeria’s two-time Olympic football silver medal-winning coach and 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup silver medal-winning coach explained.
“They are very strict this time around, but I’m confident we will meet the financial demands before then.”
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COMMENTS
Raising #36000000 to pursue a case you’re about 90% to lose is stupidity to me. Use the 36m for something else and move on with your life. What matters is your relationship with God who knows you’re or not innocent of the accusations. In my opinion, you are not guilty but only God knows. Do why spend that high amount. Think straight. Use your brain.
If I ve the money I will invest it in the case . But on agreed terms with him.50% will be my share of his new contract with any national team he coaches after being set free .and in case he won the world cup as black coach the govt of that country will give out 2 oil bloc for 20 years to me.
One question for u, siasia: do you think FIFA just woke up one morning and cooked up allegations against u for no just reason?? I really, really don’t think so. At least, fifia is not like the nff or the Nigerian govt where things are done anti clockwise.
@Oakfield, stop talking like this in public. You are accusing the gentleman without any prove.
Salisu that took bribe, FIFA did not do anything about his issue.
Why Mr. Siasia?
Is there any evidence from FIFA? can FIFA prove it to the world?
Where and when, in what year did that happened?
This is the reason why Sia1 is trying to appeal to FIFA.
How much was the money if not because the man had a problem recently.
For these reasons, I qoute section 230A of my constitution, “the more you look the less you see”. If you and FIFA in doubt that the man was guilty, prove it with one or two evidences you have. God bless Nigeria!!!
@Omo9ja well you can’t really fault oakfield for thinking like that. Like oakfield pointed out, FIFA will not just ban you without proof and thats something that can’t be shared with the public but the defendant. Fifa claimed they sent several correspondence to him via his email without any reply, now is siasia saying when he was applying for jobs, he didn’t get a reply back from his contacts. And why is NFF folding there arms on this matter, even the bayelsa state govt is also silent, that alone speaks volume. Well lets wait and see what transpires from all this drama