Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has denied reports alleging that John Obi Mikel or his agent John Shittu offered him a bribe of €50,000 to secure the midfielder’s spot in Nigeria’s squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In a recent interview on Brila FM’s “Big Interview”, the 57-year-old ex-coach expressed his disappointment over what he described as a misrepresentation of his comments by some sections of the Nigerian media.
“I won’t talk to Nigerian journalists again. Why would anyone say I said Mikel or his agent offered me money?” Siasia questioned.
Background of the Allegation
Earlier, Siasia had reportedly claimed in a different interview that John Shittu once offered him €50,000 to include Mikel in the Olympic team—even though the player had missed out on the qualification matches. The report quickly gained traction and sparked a wave of criticism and speculation.
However, Siasia has now clarified that he never directly accused Mikel or Shittu of bribery. He insisted his words were taken out of context, resulting in what he called an unfair attack on his character and career.
Legal Threat from John Shittu
In response to the original allegation, John Shittu issued a strong rebuttal through a press statement, denying any involvement in bribery. The football agent revealed that he has already initiated legal proceedings, demanding a retraction and ₦250 million in damages for what he described as defamation.
A Tainted Legacy?
Samson Siasia, who led Nigeria to silver at the 2008 Olympics, is currently working to rebuild his reputation after a previous FIFA ban over alleged match-fixing—an issue he continues to contest.
This latest controversy adds to the series of challenges the former international striker has faced in recent years.
