A Nigerian court has ruled that multiple football authorities were negligent in the tragic death of player Chineme Martins in 2020.
Martins, a 25-year-old midfielder for Nasarawa United, collapsed during a league match and later died, sparking national outcry and calls for accountability.
The National Industrial Court found Nasarawa United, the match commissioner, the Nigerian Professional Football League, and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) guilty of gross negligence.
The court condemned the absence of proper medical protocols, including the failure to conduct essential tests and the lack of emergency services at Lafia Township Stadium.
A 2020 report from the NFF revealed that no doctor, physiotherapist, or functional ambulance was present during the match where Martins collapsed.
The court has ordered financial compensation for the player’s family, acknowledging their pain and loss as a direct result of institutional failure.
“This ruling confirms they neglected my brother’s health and safety,” said Michael Martins. “I pray no other family experiences this heartbreak.”
FIFPRO, the global soccer players’ union, supported the legal battle and emphasized the need for reforms to protect athletes in Nigeria.
The court’s verdict underscores a broader demand for systemic change in Nigerian football, especially in enforcing basic medical standards.
Martins’ death is now a symbol of urgent reform, serving as a reminder that no match should cost a life.
With this ruling, pressure mounts on Nigerian football authorities to ensure proper medical safeguards are in place at all levels.