John Shittu, who managed John Obi Mikel during his football career, has denied claims made by ex-Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia, NaijNaira can report.
In an interview published online, Siasia said Shittu offered him €50,000 to include Mikel in the 2008 Olympics team, despite Mikel not playing in the qualifiers.
Shittu, responding via TheCable, said the claim lacks merit and accused Siasia of distorting facts.
“Going to the Olympics, Mikel wanted to come and play,” Siasia said. “His agent said he would give me €50,000 to include him.”
The former coach claimed he turned down the offer out of fairness to players who helped Nigeria qualify for Beijing.
“He didn’t play the qualifiers,” Siasia added. “So I should remove someone who helped us qualify to bring him in? It won’t happen.”
He doubled down, saying: “People who played to qualify should go.”
Nigeria eventually went on to win silver at the 2008 Games without Mikel in the squad.
Mikel later led the U23 team to bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio as team captain.
Reacting to the claims, Shittu dismissed them and said Siasia had already apologised to him in private.
“I am one of the most respected agents in the game,” Shittu said. “I don’t engage myself with damaged or inconsequential people.”
He closed the matter saying: “As far as I am concerned, it’s a forgotten issue.”
So far, John Obi Mikel has made no public statement on the situation.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
