By Akinwale Kasali
Former Super Eagles Coach, Clemens Westerhof, has emerged victorious in the defamation suit filed against his former assistant at the Super Eagles, Johannes Bonfere.
Bonfrere had alleged that the 1994 FIFA World Cup match between the Super Eagles and the Azzuri of Italy National team in the Second round of the tournament was fixed.
He stressed that Westerhof received money from some agents to fix the match in favour of the Italians.
Following this allegation, Westerhof sued his compatriot for defaming him.
The Rechtbank Gelderland Hight Court in Arnhem, Holland, on Tuesday, found Bonfrere guilty of the charge brought against him by Westerhof.
Bonfrere was widely quoted by the Nigerian media of having said in an interview with Lagos-based sports radio station, Brila FM, in April, that his former boss sold Nigeria’s 1994 FIFA World Cup Second Round match against Italy.
Bonfrere was also quoted as having accused Westerhof of selling the match for $100,000.
Westerhof prayed the court to compel Bonfere to prove the allegation against him, or go to jail and pay a heavy fine as damages for defaming his name.
Justice Bonnekemp, who presided over the case found Bonfrere guilty as charged and asked him to apologise in a paid advert to be published in a Nigerian newspaper.
The judge ruled that his statements on Westerhof were incorrect.
More damages to be paid by Bonfrere will be determined by the court.
The ruling has further exonerated Westerhof of the allegation levelled against him.
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