Admin l Monday, August 19, 2019
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Football Federation has disclosed that its lawyers have started to review the decision against former Nigeria player and coach Samson Siasia by the FIFA Ethics Committee, which on Friday announced that it had placed a life ban from all football-related activities on Siasia.
Acting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, himself a lawyer of more than three decades at the bar, said on Monday that the Federation had already reached out to the former U20, U23 and Super Eagles head coach and is aware that he is receiving appropriate legal advice.
“The NFF was shocked to learn of the investigation and subsequent decision by the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber) placing a life ban on Mr. Samson Siasia. But we have however now received documents, including one known as the Motivated Decision,and we have handed them to our lawyers to study and provide legal advice to the Federation.
“It is a massive sanction on one of our legends. Siasia is a fooball legend but most importantly he is a Nigerian. We must therefore be interested in the matter and be properly advised.”
Akinwunmi added: “Siasia gave his all for Nigeria, playing for the U20 team right from his secondary school days and then for the senior team for several years, and also coaching the U20 and U23 teams and the Super Eagles. While we respect the FIFA processes and appreciate that an investigation was conducted prior to the decision, the least we as a Federation can do is empathise with him at this time, make ourselves available to him and hope that in some way he is able to clear his name as he has promised to do.”
NFF Management, Staff celebrate General Secretary, Sanusi
Management and Staff of the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday felicitated with the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, on his recent turbanning as the Danmasani Wajeke of Wamakko local government in Sokoto State.
Dr. Sanusi was himself pleasantly surprised when all members of Management and Staff lined up at the door to the Glass House to give him a thunderous ovation as he climbed down from the car on arrival to resume work for the day.
“I am overjoyed by this show of love, and I want to assure you that the present NFF administration will continue to improve on service delivery and general operations. I thank you very much for this honour and will never forget this day.
“As the President of the NFF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick always say, we apologise to those who we may have offended in our quest to take Nigerian Football to higher heights, and we assure you that we value immensely your contributions to that process.”
The Management and Staff presented to Dr. Sanusi a giant-size greeting card on which were written: “With great respect and honour, we would like to congratulate you, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on your recent coronation as Danmasanin Wajeke Wammako, Sokoto.
“This is a sign of the diligence, dedication and hard work you have put into your work and your relationship with mankind and support towards continuous progress of football in Nigeria. It is also a sign that people from all works of life are appreciative of your personality.
“Our Danmasanin, we extend our congratulations to you on this great attainment. We wish you many more recognitions at home and abroad. Congratulations.”
