FIFA had wielded the big stick on Siasia two years ago after investigations revealed that he had links in the past to the notorious Singaporean match-fixer, Wilson Perumal.
The life ban was to keep Siasia away from all football-related activities (administrative, sports, or any other) at both national and international levels.
The former Super Eagles star and coach always maintained that he was innocent of all the charges.
And on Monday, CAS, the number one institution involved in resolving legal disputes in the field of football, ruled that a life ban for Samson Siasia was “disproportionate” for a passive offence that did not earn him any money.
A FIFA fine of 50,000 Swiss francs was also overturned.
The ban has been backdated to start on August 16, 2019.
During a distinguished playing career, Siasia helped Nigeria win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify the country for her first appearance at the FIFA World Cup the same year.
After hanging his boots, the retired midfielder coached Nigeria’s men’s team to take silver at the 2005 World Youth Championship and bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
In his reaction, the former Super Eagles Coach expressed disappointment with the Sports arbitration panel’s verdict and maintains his innocence.
Siasia rejected the decision terming it a ‘disgrace’ and ‘unacceptable’ because ‘I did not commit any crime.
culled from Sun
