Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia says his ex-teammates abandoned him when he was handed a life ban by FIFA in 2019.
Siasia was banned for life by FIFA and fined $50,000 after he was accused of agreeing to receive bribes in order to manipulate matches.
But the life ban was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday.
CAS also cancelled the $50,000 fan imposed by FIFA for match-fixing, and backdated the ban to start August 2019.
While addressing the media on Friday in Abuja, Siasia said the ban reduction was a big relief, adding that it had given him hope of returning to football.
“I want to thank CAS for their judgment, which has given me hope to return back to what I know how best to do.
“I’m happy I’m gradually out of the hook, because in a couple of years I will go back to what I know how best to do,” Siasia said.
The former Eagles, U-23 and U-20 coach lamented his neglect during the trying period, despite serving the nation meritoriously. Punch
