Nigeria Referees Want Bribery Claims Without Proof Red-Carded

Calabar — Following recent allegations of bribery levelled against some of their members, the Nigeria Football Coaches association is encouraging its members to take legal action against those who accuse them without evidence to prove their claims.

A former Super Eagles striker, Chinedu Obasi recently stirred the hornet's nest when he made a damning allegation that he was dropped from the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad because he refused to bribe his way to Brazil.

Even as the dust created by the damning accusation targeted at late Stephen Keshi was yet to settle, another former Super Eagles forward, Obinna Nsofor also alleged that he was dropped from the Flying Eagles squad to the 2005 FIFA U-20 championship in Netherlands because he refused to give bribe.





These accusations have disturbed Nigerian coaches and the association is already looking at legal actions, if the 'unsubstantiated' allegations continue unabated.

A statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Etta Egbe, a former national goalie quoted the president of the association Ladan Bosso as saying they are really perturbed about the ongoing allegations of corruption made by some players against coaches whose identity were not revealed by the accusers.

He said if such accusers truly want to help bring sanity into Nigerian football, they should be ready to back up their allegations with verifiable facts and evidence.

"We, hereby request the accusers to mention the names of the coaches so as to stop the unnecessary backlash and bad blood that has continued to ravage the social media and some conventional media outfits.

"If the accusers see their actions as a means of bringing sanity into Nigeria football, the association will only welcome it if the accusers are precise and open to back up such allegations with facts and evidence."

He said the association frowns at persons making damming allegations against his members without any iota of facts or evidence to back same.

Bosso cautioned that the unsubstantiated allegations should cease.

He insisted that such allegations were painting Nigeria coaches bad and putting their hard earned integrity and reputation built over the years into disrepute.

The veteran of the Nigerian league also warned such people to desist from such behaviour or risk being sued.

"We shall subsequently ask our members to take legal action against anyone who may defame their character and reputation in the eyes of the public," he said.