A Nigerian court has ruled that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the country’s soccer league, the match commissioner, and Chineme Martins’ club, Nasarawa United, were negligent in the circumstances surrounding the player’s death in March 2020.
Martins, 25, collapsed and died during a league match while playing for Nasarawa United. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria condemned the failure to conduct proper medical tests and provide adequate medical facilities at the Lafia Township Stadium, where the incident occurred.
The court has ordered Nasarawa United to compensate Martins’ family.
Martins’ brother, Michael, expressed his frustration, saying, “The court has ruled that Nasarawa United, the league management company, and the NFF did not consider my brother’s safety, health, and welfare, which contributed to his death.”
“I hope that the appropriate medical provisions are put in place for Nigeria’s footballers going forward, so that no family has to endure the pain we have suffered,” he added.
A report on the NFF’s website revealed that Nasarawa United lacked a medical doctor or physiotherapist at the match and that no functional ambulance was present. Additionally, Martins had not undergone an echocardiogram before any of his three seasons with the club.
FIFPRO lawyers assisted the family in pursuing the negligence claim.
