Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has claimed that Rangers International Football Club denied him a professional contract in the past because of his tribe.
The Enugu-based club has rejected this claim and said its recruitment choices have always focused on skill and not ethnicity.
In an interview with Urban Dwell Sports published on Thursday, Simon said he was turned down for a professional contract during a trial with the club. He said he captained the trial team while another player who only trained for one week was signed instead.
“I’ve never told anyone this story, it’s the first time. But it’s a disgrace, you know. That year, I was dropped, not because I wasn’t able.
“That was just tribalism, not because of my game. I was there for three months, and a guy came, I forgot his name, he’s an able guy. He just trained for one week and they signed him,” Simon said.
When asked why the club would pick someone else after he spent months on trial, Simon said he thought his background played a part.
“And they said it was because I was from the north, or something,” he said.
In response, Rangers released a statement on Friday, signed by General Manager/CEO Amobi Ezeaku. The club said it took note of Simon’s comments but insisted it has never discriminated based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or where someone comes from.
“While we respect every player’s right to recount his personal journey, it is important to clearly state that Rangers International FC has never maintained, and does not maintain, any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin,” the statement read.
The club pointed out that although it is proud of its roots in Enugu and the South-East, it has, for over fifty years, acted as a national institution. It has fielded players, coaches, and officials from all over Nigeria and beyond.
“The club’s recruitment philosophy has always been based on footballing ability, character, discipline and commitment, not ethnic identity.
“Thousands of players have passed through Rangers over the years. Some earned contracts, others did not. Such decisions are part of football and are influenced by numerous sporting, technical and administrative considerations,” Rangers said.
Rangers added that it would be wrong to call the club one that discriminates against players based on ethnicity. They stressed that their men’s, women’s, and youth teams continue to welcome talent from across Nigeria and beyond.
“Rangers remains committed to providing equal opportunities to every talented player regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin.
“The values that define this great club are excellence, integrity, discipline, hard work and unity,” the statement added.
The club also described itself as a symbol of national integration, where “talent speaks louder than tribe and performance remains the ultimate criterion for opportunity.”
Simon, 30, now plays for Paris FC in France and has been a regular member of the Super Eagles over the years.
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