Simon Accuses Rangers FC of Tribalism Over Past Contract Denial; Club Rejects Claim

Nigerian international winger Moses Simon has alleged that ethnic discrimination cost him a professional football contract with Enugu Rangers International FC earlier in his career. In a recent interview, the 30-year-old Super Eagles forward claimed that despite spending three months on trial and captaining the trial squad, he was overlooked in favor of another player who had only trained with the team for a single week.

Simon expressed that the decision was rooted in tribalism rather than his on-field performance, stating that he was told the rejection was because of his Northern background.

Enugu Rangers have swiftly rejected the accusations. In an official statement, the club’s General Manager and CEO, Amobi Ezeaku, maintained that the team has never operated under or tolerated discriminatory policies based on ethnicity, tribe, or religion. The club emphasized its five-decade history as a national institution that has consistently embraced players, coaches, and staff from diverse backgrounds across Nigeria and the wider African continent. Management noted that roster decisions are a standard part of football operations, influenced strictly by technical, administrative, and sporting merits rather than ethnic identity.

Simon, who currently plays club football for Paris FC in France, remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s national team. Despite the historical grievance aired by the player, Enugu Rangers reiterated their ongoing commitment to unity and equal opportunity across their men’s, women’s, and youth academies.