{"id":29293,"date":"2025-04-29T05:58:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=29293"},"modified":"2025-04-29T05:58:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:58:23","slug":"landmark-case-finds-negligence-for-nigerian-players-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2025\/04\/29\/landmark-case-finds-negligence-for-nigerian-players-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Landmark case finds negligence for Nigerian player&#8217;s death"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">A court case which found Nigeria&#8217;s leading football bodies to be negligent for the death of a player has been hailed as a &#8220;landmark&#8221; by global players&#8217; union Fifpro.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Martins Chineme\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-k8mrr8-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/51800684\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">died aged 25 in March 2020<\/a>\u00a0after collapsing on the pitch while representing Nasarawa United in Nigeria&#8217;s top flight, which was administrated by the League Management Company (LMC), now known as the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board, a body that sits under the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Over five years later, the club, the LMC, the NFF and Christian Mbah, the match commissioner, were all adjudged to have failed in their duty of care to the player.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">While there have been previous negligence cases in Nigeria, this is the first regarding negligence in sport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a proper landmark case in football,&#8221; Loic Alves, Fifpro&#8217;s senior legal counsel, told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I have not seen another ruling where a federation is held liable to the extent that they are in this case. This is rare.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This month&#8217;s historic verdict was made by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), which awarded damages to the family of the late player, who died of suspected cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The club, the NPFL, the NFF and Mbah have not commented on the ruling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\" data-component=\"links-block\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-1y914pf-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\" role=\"list\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1t3sjik-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oxzfb3-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1b1mki6-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/52201056\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">How Nigerian football failed Martins Chineme<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1t3sjik-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oxzfb3-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1b1mki6-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/54450884\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Fifpro to help family over death of Nigerian player<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Key to the findings of the NICN, which has exclusive jurisdiction over civil matters related to employment and workplace conditions, is that the ruling was made in common law, so establishing a legal precedent for such cases in future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We&#8217;re hopeful that this ruling will serve not just in Nigeria, but will also cross borders and force federations, leagues and clubs to reflect on their regulations and obligations,&#8221; said Alves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It works as a strong reminder that a lack of enforcement of your regulations can lead to real-life consequences &#8211; and these consequences can be terrible.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Chineme&#8217;s family have reacted with both relief and delight after a protracted legal trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It was an emotion one can&#8217;t really express,&#8221; Chineme&#8217;s brother Michael told the BBC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It has been a long journey in pursuit of justice. I want to dedicate the victory to those who feel all hope is gone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"Change-in-the-making\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Change in the making<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1jloti7-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/e142\/live\/141eb490-2422-11f0-a7e8-8d331face551.png 976w\" alt=\"Five men wearing hi-vis vests push a black estate car bearing the word 'ambulance' on the side in red onto a football field\" width=\"1200\" height=\"674.2372881355932\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-179o3th-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-y7krbn-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The ambulance at the Lafia Township Stadium failed to start after Chineme collapsed on the pitch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Martins Chineme died after a catalogue of failures at the Lafia Township Stadium where there was no functioning ambulance or working defibrillator, poor on-pitch treatment and an under-qualified club doctor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Contrary to league rules, the defender had not passed a mandatory pre-season medical assessment that includes an echocardiogram, which could have been vital for a player whose family have a history of heart issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Nasarawa United, a state-owned club, had also failed to provide insurance cover for the player.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The pre-season screening failure and inadequate medical facilities prompted the NICN to describe the defendants&#8217; conduct as &#8220;reprehensible&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Chineme family also successfully claimed that all the defendants owed the footballer a duty of care &#8211; in ensuring that a club has mandated medical personnel and equipment on any given match day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;What I find interesting in this judgement is that the duty of care is not only on the club,&#8221; said Alves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I find this extended application of a classic labour law principle to be very, very positive for all players.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is a point backed by one of the Chinemes&#8217; lawyers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;As regards the operations of the NFF and the league body, knowing that a civil court can hold them responsible going forward is going to make a real difference,&#8221; Sportlicitors founder Tosin Akinyemi told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;And if they still don&#8217;t want to change, this is going to encourage other parties going forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"Claim-derided-as-golddigging\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Claim derided as &#8216;gold-digging&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-s8zlwl-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7a7a\/live\/a59193e0-2420-11f0-b820-cb546c2ff766.png 976w\" alt=\"Michael Chineme, wearing a predominantly black T-shirt, stands alongside Martins Chineme, who wears a blue football shirt\" width=\"1200\" height=\"674.8752079866888\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-179o3th-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-y7krbn-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Michael Chineme (left) said former team-mates of his late brother refused to testify in support of the family&#8217;s case<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Chineme family were themselves initially reluctant to pursue a claim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We never wanted to go to court, because most people will tell you &#8216;You can&#8217;t challenge the guys in authority &#8211; they are so powerful&#8217;,&#8221; Michael Chineme told the BBC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I felt confident and said &#8216;We can&#8217;t continue like this in this country &#8211; justice must be done&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Starting in December 2020, the claim took over four years to complete &#8211; with Nasarawa United not only denying negligence but also being accused of drawing out the legal process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;The football club brought a series of preliminary objections and other applications &#8211; which were not really of good merit &#8211; to try to slow down the case,&#8221; Akinyemi said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Among these were an unsuccessful challenge to the jurisdiction of the NICN to even hear the Chinemes&#8217; case, which the club derided as &#8220;manifestly frivolous and gold-digging&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Meanwhile, despite the significance of a player effectively dying on their watch, neither the LMC nor NFF engaged in the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;This is a pattern we often observe when we have cases against federations, clubs or leagues,&#8221; said Fifpro&#8217;s Alves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Federations tend to believe they can enjoy some sort of impunity. What is remarkable in this case is that a state court is reminding them that they are as equal in front of the law as any other body.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Too often federations and clubs forget that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Even though Nasarawa United had already been sanctioned &#8211; fined just over $15,000 (\u00a311,200) by the NFF in 2020 &#8211; for breaching a host of rules, such as not acquiring a qualified doctor for the game, the club consistently denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Claims of valid insurance and pre-season medical tests were proven false when cross-examination revealed the tests had screened for issues such as HIV\/AIDS, malaria and typhoid rather than cardiac issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In his ruling, Justice Haastrup said Nasarawa United &#8220;threw every caution to the wind&#8221; when certifying Chineme as fit to play.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\" data-component=\"links-block\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-1y914pf-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\" role=\"list\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1t3sjik-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oxzfb3-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1b1mki6-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/67975444\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">The African footballers putting their hearts on the line<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"Family-reaction\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Family reaction<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Nigeria is known for international stars such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and, further back, Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, who\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-k8mrr8-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/40456513\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">faced heart problems of his own<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But some local players &#8211; in a sign of the atmosphere enveloping the country&#8217;s domestic football &#8211; turned down a chance to support their late friend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I begged three players to testify,&#8221; said Michael Chineme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;But they were afraid of their career &#8211; that if they came, they might be threatened, they might lose their job.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Now those self-same players are celebrating a case which the family always hoped would deliver justice &#8220;not just for Martins, but for every other footballer&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been approached by some players and by his friends that still play,&#8221; said Michael. &#8220;They were like: &#8216;Thank you for this, we never knew this was still going on, we never knew you were this resilient&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Along with the federation, league and match commissioner, Nasarawa United must pay the family damages, but Michael says the amount will not even cover their legal fees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">That is one reason a foundation he established in his brother&#8217;s name in 2022 will help footballers legally, but not financially.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I set up Chineme Martins Football Foundation to see the little way it can help those who have been suffering these kinds of issues,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As Michael admits, the family might easily have given up the legal fight without Fifpro&#8217;s support.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In return, the global players&#8217; union is delighted the steadfast Chinemes may have secured a brighter future for footballers across the planet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;There&#8217;s a simple message,&#8221; Alves said of the ruling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;For the people involved on the pitch, this is work. People that organise these competitions have to make sure they&#8217;re doing it in safe conditions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/articles\/cr4n7zy93g9o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">A court case which found Nigeria&#8217;s leading football bodies to be negligent for the death of a player has been hailed as a &#8220;landmark&#8221; by global players&#8217; union Fifpro. Martins Chineme\u00a0died aged 25 in March <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2025\/04\/29\/landmark-case-finds-negligence-for-nigerian-players-death\/\" title=\"Landmark case finds negligence for Nigerian player&#8217;s death\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[11230,11233,3585,11232,1414,2349,11231],"class_list":{"0":"post-29293","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-world","9":"tag-fifpro","10":"tag-lafia","11":"tag-landmark-ruling","12":"tag-national-industrial-court-of-nigeria","13":"tag-negligence","14":"tag-nigeria","15":"tag-nigeria-premier-football-league","16":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29293"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29295,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29293\/revisions\/29295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}