Siasia alleges he rejected Mikel’s €50,000 bribe, refused to take him to Beijing Olympics
Former Nigeria U23 coach, Samson Siasia, has revealed why he refused to take John Obi Mikel to the Beijing Olympics.
The former Super Eagles boss said that by so doing he rejected about €50,000 bribe offer from Mikel’s agent, who wanted the midfielder included in the squad for Beijing 2008.
Siasia said he pleaded with Mikel, who was then warming the bench at Chelsea, to come and participate in the qualifiers but the midfielder refused.
According to him, Mikel picked interest to play in the Olympics after the team qualified without him.
A 0-0 draw with Ghana in the final qualifying game ensured that Nigeria booked a place at the 2008 Olympic Games.
However, facts contradict Siasia’s claim that Mikel was warming the bench at Stamford Bridge as Mikel played four consecutive Premier League games from the start before the Ghana vs Nigeria qualifying game and started five more games immediately after the qualifier.
Siasia told Elegbete TV Sports, “Mikel wasn’t a starter at Chelsea then, he was on the bench. I told him we only had one game against Ghana to play – please come and help us.
“I said if he doesn’t come, he won’t go anywhere. But Mikel refused to come, saying he was playing in Chelsea.
“Nothing happened, we played very well, at the end of the day 0-0, we qualified.
“Going to the Olympics, Mikel wants to come and play. His agent said he would give me €50,000 so Mikel should play.
“I said it’s not about €50,000. He didn’t play the qualifiers, so I will take out someone that qualified us and bring you in? It won’t happen. That’s why Mikel didn’t go.”
Siasia alleges he rejected Mikel’s €50,000 bribe, refused to take him to Beijing Olympics
