Nigerian held for 'offering' position in FC Goa for a price

Panaji: A 52-year-old Delhi-based Nigerian has been arrested on charges of cheating a local businessman of Rs.4.25 lakh by promising his son a position on the FC Goa football team, Goa Police said on Sunday.

A complaint under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against accused Sadiq Saleh, a police spokesperson said.

Saleh, a resident of Vasant Vihar in New Delhi, posed as a "sports agent" and promised complainant Nazir Baig of Margao town in South Goa a position on the Indian Super League team, presently coached by Brazilian football legend Zico.

"Saleh promised the complainant, whose son Irfan is a footballer, a position on the football team in May but did not contact the complainant after taking Rs.4.25 lakh," said Inspector Chetan Patil, incharge of Margao police station.

Patil said police inquiries revealed that the accused had no connection with FC Goa and was using the team's name only as a ruse to dupe Baig.

Saleh was arrested in Panaji late on Saturday.

FC Goa is an ISL football team based in Goa and co-owned by two Goa businessmen, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot.