Siasia Alleges Mikel Tried to Bribe His Way into Nigeria’s 2008 Olympic Team
Former Nigeria U-23 coach Samson Siasia has claimed that John Obi Mikel attempted to bribe his way into Nigeria’s squad for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, raising eyebrows in the world of football.
Mikel Missed the Qualifiers
In a recent interview with Elegbete TV Sports, Siasia revealed that Mikel’s agent allegedly offered him a €50,000 bribe to include the midfielder in the Olympic team after Nigeria had already qualified. Siasia recounted his earlier attempts to persuade Mikel to join the team for a crucial Olympic qualifier against Ghana, emphasizing that Mikel, who was not starting at Chelsea at the time, refused to participate.
“I told him we had just one game left. I asked him to help us qualify,” said Siasia. “But he refused, saying he was playing for Chelsea, even though he wasn’t starting games then.” Nigeria eventually secured a place at the Olympics, drawing 0-0 with Ghana.
Alleged Bribe Offer After Qualification
Following Nigeria’s qualification, Siasia alleged that Mikel’s agent approached him with the bribe, stating, “When we qualified, his agent came and said he would give me €50,000 for Mikel to be included in the team.” Siasia dismissed the proposal, noting that he could not drop a player who helped them qualify.
Consequently, Mikel was left out of the 2008 squad, which ultimately won a silver medal in Beijing.
No Official Response Yet
As of now, neither Mikel nor the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has publicly responded to these serious allegations regarding the attempted bribe.
Mikel’s 2016 Olympic Support
In contrast to these allegations, Mikel has previously discussed his support for the U-23 team, revealing during The Obi One Podcast that he personally funded their travel for the 2016 Rio Olympics due to the NFF’s failure to provide funds. “We were stranded at the airport all day,” Mikel recounted. He captained the team in Rio, which later secured a bronze medal.
Conclusion
These allegations place Mikel’s reputation under scrutiny, stirring debate among football fans. With no official comments from the involved parties, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold. What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your opinions in the comments below.
