Nigeria is known for international stars such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and, further back, Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, who faced heart problems of his own.
But some local players – in a sign of the atmosphere enveloping the country’s domestic football – turned down a chance to support their late friend.
“I begged three players to testify,” said Michael Chineme.
“But they were afraid of their career – that if they came, they might be threatened, they might lose their job.”
Now those self-same players are celebrating a case which the family always hoped would deliver justice “not just for Martins, but for every other footballer”.
“I’ve been approached by some players and by his friends that still play,” said Michael. “They were like: ‘Thank you for this, we never knew this was still going on, we never knew you were this resilient’.”
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.
That is one reason a foundation he established in his brother’s name in 2022 will help footballers legally, but not financially.
“I set up Chineme Martins Football Foundation to see the little way it can help those who have been suffering these kinds of issues,” he said.
As Michael admits, the family might easily have given up the legal fight without Fifpro’s support.
In return, the global players’ union is delighted the steadfast Chinemes may have secured a brighter future for footballers across the planet.
“There’s a simple message,” Alves said of the ruling.
“For the people involved on the pitch, this is work. People that organise these competitions have to make sure they’re doing it in safe conditions.”
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