Court Faults NPFL, NFF Over Death Of Nasarawa United Player Chineme Martins

• Court Faults NPFL, NFF Over Death Of Nasarawa United Player Chineme Martins
• Club ordered to compensate family; sum not publicly disclosed
• No heart screening, poor medical support at Lafia Stadium

Five years after the tragic on-field death of Chineme Martins, a 23-year-old defender for Nasarawa United, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ruled that the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and Nasarawa United were negligent in their duty of care, leading to the player’s untimely demise.

Martins collapsed during a league match between Nasarawa United and Katsina United on March 8, 2020, at the Lafia Township Stadium. Despite attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in October 2020, global players’ union FIFPRO intervened to support Martins’ family in pursuing a negligence claim. After years of legal proceedings, the court has now held the club and relevant football bodies accountable for failing to meet standard safety protocols.

According to a report by Punch, the court specifically found Nasarawa United guilty of breaching their duty of care, ruling that the club must pay compensation to Martins’ family. However, the exact sum awarded was not disclosed.

The judgment also extended liability to the NPFL, the NFF, and match commissioner Christian Mbah, who were all found to have neglected their responsibilities in ensuring adherence to player safety regulations.

A key point in the court’s findings was the failure to conduct proper medical screenings. FIFPRO revealed that Martins had never undergone an echocardiogram—an essential heart test—at the start of any of his three seasons with the club.

Death Of Nasarawa United Player Chineme Martins

Death Of Nasarawa United Player Chineme Martins

The court further criticized the poor state of medical facilities at the Lafia Township Stadium, which lacked adequate equipment and emergency response readiness at the time of the incident. This deficiency, the court noted, contributed significantly to the fatal outcome.

The ruling is a landmark moment for sports safety in Nigeria and reinforces the growing calls for improved health protocols and medical readiness in Nigerian football.

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