By Adegboyega Adeleye
Enugu Rangers have strongly denied allegations by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon that he was denied a contract because of his ethnic background, insisting the seven-time Nigerian champions have never discriminated against players on the basis of tribe or ethnicity.
The Nigeria Premier Football League champions were responding to comments by the Paris FC winger, who claimed in an interview that he was dropped after a three-month trial with the Enugu club because he was “not Igbo”.
In an official statement signed by Rangers General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Amobi Ezeaku and posted on the club’s official X account on Friday, the club said it respects every player’s right to recount personal experiences but insisted it has “never maintained, and does not maintain, any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin.”
“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.
Rangers described itself as one of Nigeria’s foremost football institutions, stressing that although the club is proudly rooted in Enugu and the South-East, it has always been a national club.
“For over five decades, Rangers has stood as one of Nigeria’s foremost national football institutions. Although proudly rooted in Enugu and the South-East, the club has always belonged to Nigeria.
“Throughout its rich history, Rangers has been home to players, coaches and officials from virtually every part of the country and the continent, all united by one objective: excellence on the football pitch.”
The club also dismissed suggestions that ethnicity has ever influenced its recruitment process, saying football ability and character remain the deciding factors.
“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. It would therefore be inaccurate to characterise Rangers as an institution that discriminates against players because of their ethnicity.”
Rangers added that the current administration has deliberately strengthened its commitment to professionalism, meritocracy, diversity and inclusion, noting that the club’s men’s, women’s and youth teams continue to recruit talented footballers from every part of Nigeria and beyond.
According to the statement, the club remains committed to ensuring equal opportunities for every player regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin.
“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.
“As one of Nigeria’s most historic football institutions, Rangers will continue to serve as a symbol of national integration, where talent speaks louder than tribe and performance remains the ultimate criterion for opportunity.”
The statement concluded with the club’s famous motto, “Never Say Die”.
Simon had earlier claimed that despite captaining the screening team during a three-month trial at Rangers, he was denied a contract because he was not Igbo.
“I went to Rangers and trained with them for three months. I wasn’t signed, but I was training with them. In fact, I was the captain of the screening team,” the Super Eagles winger said.
“I never told someone these stories. It was the first time. But it is a disgrace. That year I was dropped because I was not Igbo.”
The 30-year-old has since gone on to build a successful career in Europe, featuring for clubs in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, while becoming one of the Super Eagles’ most experienced players.
