US-based former Nigeria internationals – Sam Okpodu and Godwin Odiye – have expressed their disappointment at the circumstances leading to the suspension of Dr. Amos Adamu by FIFA.
Adamu, a FIFA executive member, was along with Oceania Football Federation boss, Reynald Temarii, implicated in a Sunday Times investigation which accused the duo of demanding money in return for their votes in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The reporters from the newspaper posed as representatives of the United States‘ 2022 World Cup bid.
FIFA gave Adamu a three-year ban from all football-related activities after its Ethics Committee concluded its hearing into the allegations in Switzerland on Thursday.
He was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£6,341).
However, the former National Sports Commission Director-General said he would appeal the decision.
Okpodu, who helped the Super Falcons win the 2006 Africa Women‘s Championship as head coach, said Adamu‘s involvement in the bribery allegations had placed Nigeria in bad light.
The former Bendel Insurance winger told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday, ”This (scandal) is an international problem for all Nigerians abroad. People continue to look at any Nigerian as corrupt. He (Adamu) needs to remove himself from the public glare and football.
”I‘m disappointed and ashamed because the scandal involves a Nigerian. Since Adamu is the current face of Nigeria with FIFA people automatically assume that all Nigerians are corrupt.
”I believe the fall of Nigerian football can be attributed to corrupt administration and management and FIFA‘s image has come to question in many quarters around the world they definitely need to do something about it.”
Odiye, famed for his own-goal during a 1978 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Tunisia in Lagos in 1977, said, ”It‘s ridiculous but then nothing is new. It‘s very sad that people still engage in things like this.
“Look at what money can do to people in this modern age. It‘s too bad that his family will have to go through all these. Good luck to him.”
Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101122143612
No comments:
Post a Comment