'We are not a tribal club' — Nigerian champions Rangers hit back at Super Eagles star Moses Simon

Rangers International have hit back at claims made by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon, who alleged the club denied him a spot in the squad early in his career because he is not an Igbo boy.

As reported by Pulse Sports, Simon recounted the experience in stark terms, claiming his exit from the club had nothing to do with his ability on the pitch.

'I went to Rangers and trained with them for three months,' Simon said. 'I was dropped because I wasn't Igbo, not because of my performance. I spent three months with the team, while another player trained just once and got a professional contract because he was Igbo.'

The claims did not go unanswered for long. Rangers moved swiftly to defend the club's reputation, with club CEO Barrister Amaobi Ezeaku releasing a statement titled 'Rangers International Football Club's Position on Ethnic Inclusion and Social Opportunity.'

In it, the club firmly rejected any suggestion that ethnicity played a role in recruitment decisions, past or present.

'Rangers International Football Club has taken note of comments attributed to Super Eagles star Moses Simon regarding his experience during a trial at the club many years ago,' the statement read. 

'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 club leaned heavily on its history to make its case, pointing to more than five decades as one of Nigeria's most iconic and famous football institutions, one he insists has never been closed off along ethnic lines despite its South-East roots.

'For over five decades, Rangers has stood as one of Nigeria's foremost national football institutions,' the statement continued. 'Although proudly rooted in Enugu and the South-East, the club has always belonged to Nigeria."

Rangers also addressed the specific mechanics of how player decisions are made, insisting that footballing merit, not background, ahas always been the deciding factor.

'The club's recruitment philosophy has always been based on footballing ability, character, discipline and commitment, not ethnic identity,' the statement said. 'Thousands of players have passed through Rangers over the years. Some earned contracts, others did not."

The club went on to stress that its current recruitment approach across all levels reflects an even stronger commitment to inclusion than in the past.

'Indeed, the present-day Rangers has deliberately strengthened the club's commitment to professionalism, meritocracy, diversity and inclusion,' the statement read.

Rangers closed their statement with a firm restatement of the club's values and its self-image as a unifying force in Nigerian football.

'Rangers remains committed to providing equal opportunities to every talented player regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin,' the statement added.

Simon, now one of the Super Eagles' most experienced wingers, is yet to respond to the club's statement.