The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has determined that the Nigerian soccer league, the federation (NFF), the match commissioner, and Chineme Martins' club were at fault for the player's demise in March 2020 due to negligence.
According to a statement released by the global footballers' union FIFPRO on Thursday, this is what was indicated.
Martins fell lifeless during a league game with Nasarawa United in March 2020 and passed away shortly after; he was just 25 years old.
The court ruling said it was “reprehensible” that Martins was allowed to play without complete medical tests and without the provision of adequate medical facilities at Lafia Township Stadium.
The club has been instructed to compensate Martins' family.
"The court has stated and decided that Nasarawa United, the league managing body, and the NFF failed to consider my sibling's safety, health, and well-being, leading to his demise," expressed Martins' brother Michael.
“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 continued.
A report released on the NFF website that same year pointed out that Nasarawa United lacked both a medical doctor and a physiotherapist during the match and also noted that there was an absence of a functioning ambulance at the stadium when the accident occurred.
Furthermore, Martins did not have an echocardiogram conducted at the beginning of each of his three seasons with the team.
The legal team from FIFPRO assisted Martins' family in pursuing their negligence lawsuit.
