Referee’s death during fitness test unfortunate, NFF committee

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Development Committee has described the recent death of a referee during a pre-season fitness test in Abuja as an unfortunate event, emphasizing that all medical protocols were followed. Faith Irabor, the committee's chairman, stated that the official had completed the mandatory medical examinations, including an electrocardiogram (ECG) in his home state, and was certified fit to participate.

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Before we do any physical fitness test, there are conditions. The referees will do the ECG from their state of origin. The doctors will certify them fit for the exercise.

Irabor explained that referees must present a medical report signed by a doctor before being cleared for the fitness test. Upon arrival in Abuja, the NFF's medical team conducted further checks using a prescribed format to ensure their fitness. The deceased referee had provided such a report, signed by a doctor, certifying him fit for the exercise.

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When they come here, they meet the medical team here that will also cross-check and certify them that they are fit to do the exercise.

During the physical training, officials closely monitored the referees for any signs of distress. Irabor recounted that when the referee began to stagger, the team responded immediately, providing resuscitation before he was taken to the hospital. She refuted reports that the ambulance at the venue was not functional, confirming it was operational and used for the referee's transport.

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He brought his medical report. A doctor signed, certifying him fit for the exercise. The medical team also certified them fit because there is a pre-format that we gave them to use, and that was what they used. The papers are there.

"He had all his records, he was certified by the doctors, and then what happened happened in the field. So, it wasn’t like there was negligence. No, there was no negligence at all," Irabor insisted. The committee is reportedly considering further strengthening the medical screening process to enhance safeguards for referees.

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Even as they were training, we still followed them as they were training. Everybody stands at alert. So, when he was trying to stagger, we saw that and before he fell down, we took him and brought him for resuscitation and they took him to the hospital.