Nigeria Premier Football League champions Enugu Rangers have strongly denied allegations of ethnic discrimination raised by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon, firmly stating that recruitment decisions at the club have always been rooted in merit rather than tribal background.

The controversy stems from a viral interview where the Paris FC forward alleged that he was denied a professional contract during a trial with the Flying Antelopes earlier in his career because he is from the northern part of the country.

Simon claimed that despite spending three months with the squad and captaining the trial team, he was overlooked in favor of an Igbo player who had only trained for a single week. Describing the historical snub as a disgrace, Simon insisted that his exclusion was entirely due to tribalism rather than his footballing abilities.

Rangers quickly issued an official response to protect their reputation, releasing a detailed statement through their Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku.

Titled “Rangers International Football Club’s Position on Ethnic Inclusion and Social Opportunity,” the text acknowledged Simon’s right to speak on his personal experiences but firmly clarified that the club does not operate any discriminatory policies based on ethnicity, religion, or place of origin.

Management defended the club’s iconic legacy, reminding the public that while the team is proudly based in Enugu and rooted in the South-East, it has served as a broad national institution for over fifty years. The statement highlighted that thousands of players from various geographic backgrounds have passed through their ranks, and that footballing talent, discipline, and character remain the sole pillars of their recruitment process.

Rangers concluded by asserting that their current administration has further doubled down on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that performance remains the ultimate arbiter of opportunity on the pitch.