A United States court has issued a summons with a 21-day ultimatum to FIFA to respond to Samson Siasia's suit challenging his coach licence ban and indictment for bribery.
PREMIUM TIMES obtained a copy of the summons issued on August 5, 2021, by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The world football body has to file its response to the suit and serve its answer on the former Nigerian Super Eagles coach within 21 days of being served with the summons, the court clerk, S. James, who signed the document, stated.
“A lawsuit has been filed against you,” the summons' opening reads, as the document explains further that FIFA would have been entitled to 60 days to respond to the suit if it were to be the U.S. government, its agency, or employee.
It warns that the consequence of failing to comply with the summons is that a default judgment, a sort of a walkover judicial victory, will be delivered in Siasia's favour.
“The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney, whose name and address are: If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
“You also must file your answer or motion with the court.”
Recall that Siasia filed his suit at the U.S. court on August 2, 2021, to challenge FIFA's ban on his coach licence and conviction for bribery.
The four charges raised by Siasia are: violation of his procedural rights, a breach of his property right as a U.S. citizen, infliction of emotional distress on him, and negligence.
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He also questions FIFA's power to bar him from using his coach licence issued by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF).
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
