Nigerian Court docket finds club and football federation negligent of Chineme Martins’ death

The National Industrial Court docket of Nigeria has found the Nigerian soccer league, the federation (NFF), the match commissioner and the club of Chineme Martins’ negligent for the player’s death in March 2020.

That is in step with a observation by world football players’ union FIFPRO stated on Thursday.

Martins collapsed and died whereas having fun with for Nasarawa United in a league match in March 2020. He used to be 25.

The court ruling stated it used to be “reprehensible” that Martins used to be allowed to play with out total medical assessments and with out the provision of ample medical facilities at Lafia Township Stadium.

It has ordered the club to compensate Martins’ family.

“The court has spoken and dominated that Nasarawa United, the league administration firm and the NFF failed to preserve in mind my brother’s safety, smartly being and welfare which contributed to his death,” Martins’ brother Michael stated.

“I’m hoping that the exact medical provisions are put in space for Nigeria’s footballers going forward, in teach that no family has to endure the pain now we have suffered,” he persevered.

A chronicle revealed on the NFF web web page that year highlighted that Nasarawa United had neither a medical doctor nor a physiotherapist at the game and that there used to be no purposeful ambulance at the stadium at the time of the incident.

Moreover, Martins by no manner underwent an echocardiogram at the originate of each of his three seasons with the club.

FIFPRO lawyers helped Martins’ family to pursue the claim of negligence.