A Nigerian court has delivered a groundbreaking verdict, holding the national football authorities responsible for the 2020 death of Nasarawa United player Martins Chineme, who collapsed and died during a league match at just 25 years old.
The ruling, described by global players’ union FifPro as a “landmark case in the world of football,” found the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the League Management Company (LMC)—now known as the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)—Nasarawa United, and match commissioner Christian Mbah guilty of gross negligence.
All were found to have failed in their duty of care to the player during the ill-fated match.
The judgment was handed down by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), which specializes in employment and labor-related cases.
It concluded that severe lapses in medical preparedness directly contributed to Chineme’s death.
There was no working ambulance or defibrillator at the match, emergency treatment was inadequate, and the attending club doctor was unqualified.
Further investigation revealed that Chineme had not undergone a proper pre-season medical evaluation, despite a known family history of heart issues.
The club had also failed to provide him with insurance coverage.
“This is a landmark case in the world of football,” said Loic Alves, chief legal advisor for FifPro, speaking to BBC Sport Africa. “It sends a clear message that ignoring player safety has legal consequences.”
Judge Haastrup, presiding over the case, described the defendants’ actions as “reprehensible” and held that responsibility extended beyond the club to the league and federation.
His ruling emphasized that match officials and governing bodies must share accountability when basic medical and safety standards are not met.
The legal proceedings lasted over four years, during which Nasarawa United made repeated attempts to have the case dismissed, challenging the court’s authority and the merit of the complaint.
However, the court found their objections unfounded. Medical records submitted by the club were limited to tests for HIV, malaria, and typhoid, with no reference to cardiac health.
“This ruling serves as a reminder that failure to comply with regulations can have dramatic consequences in real life,” said Alves.
For the Chineme family, the verdict marks the end of a long and painful struggle. “It’s an emotion that’s hard to describe,” said the player’s brother, Michael Chineme. “We fought this fight for those who think all hope is lost.”
Initially hesitant to take legal action for fear of reprisals, the family eventually pursued the case with backing from FifPro.
In the years since, Michael has founded the Chineme Martins Football Foundation to advocate for legal protection and welfare for Nigerian players.
The case has also exposed a culture of fear within Nigerian football.
Michael revealed that many players declined to testify, afraid of jeopardizing their careers.
Since the ruling, however, several have reached out to express their thanks. “They said to me, ‘Thank you for what you did. We didn’t know you had come this far,’” Michael recalled.
No official response has been issued by the NFF, NPFL, Nasarawa United, or Christian Mbah.
But the court’s decision sends an unequivocal message: sporting institutions are not above the law and must be held to account for safeguarding the lives of those who play the game.
