Siasia takes FIFA to US court, wants ban overturned

Siasia takes FIFA to US court, wants ban overturned

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia says FIFA ran afoul of his constitutional rights after he was convicted of bribery. In a lawsuit filed Monday in New York federal court, the former Nigerian international claims only the US Government can charge him. The 53-year-old was initially sanctioned in 2019 by FIFA for agreeing to “receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches.” But after he appealed against the life-ban, it was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sports. However, Siasia wants his conviction overturned, the $50,000 fine he paid returned, his five-year coaching ban reversed and damages awarded for the alleged civil rights violations, according to the Atlanta resident’s court papers. “In convicting Siasia of bribery, FIFA relied on Swiss bribery law. If any crime was committed, only the FBI or Georgia State Police could investigate and bring charges of commercial bribery,” his suit says, adding that “Georgia does not criminalize commercial bribery. Siasia said FIFA violated his rights to due process under the Fifth and 14th Amendments when it convicted him for his minor role in a wide-ranging conspiracy to fix hundreds of matches by paying off corrupt players and officials. His suit also stated that FIFA’s imposing the fine and revoking his license constituted “cruel and unusual punishment” barred by the Eighth Amendment.

Idowu Babalola Photo
Idowu Babalola

Socially Not Social. IG & Twitter - @Idbragga

All author posts
Related Posts
UEFA scraps away goals in Champions League, Europa League
UEFA scraps away goals in Champions League, E...

UEFA’s Executive Committee has finally scrapped the away goals rule. The away goals rule will be removed from all...

Homecoming reveals an all-star line up for HOMECOMING Festival 2019 live music show
Homecoming reveals an all-star line up for HO...

Homecoming reveals an all-star line up for HOMECOMING Festival 2019 live music show The music show will feature performances...

Don Jazzy writes Funke AKindele on her lockdown mistake
Don Jazzy writes Funke AKindele on her lockdo...

Don Jazzy has openly written to Funke Akindele saying he respects the fact that she made a mistake and...

Write A Comments