Cooreman drags NFL to FIFA

30.04.2008

Enyimba coach, Maurice Cooreman has threatened to drag the NFL to FIFA if it fails to rescind its decision to ban him for the rest of the season.

Cooreman was handed the ban by the NFL's Organising and Disciplinary Committee for allegedly slapping a referee, but the Belgian argues that he was not given a chance to defend himself by the committee.

"I am very disappointed because they did not give me a chance to defend myself," he told KickOffNigeria.com.

"You listen to one side and refused to hear the other, it is not fair judgment." He also denied slapping the referee, saying it was only a verbal attack.

"I did not do what they are accusing me of, I can not attack a referee after my 45 years in football. I may have said many bad things to him but I did not attack him as they say I did."

Cooreman also disclosed that he has appealed the O&D decision. "My club and I have appealed the ruling and if nothing comes out of our appeal, I will take the case to FIFA." The fact that there are just two games to the end of season matters little to the fiery Belgian.