In a landmark judgment, the High Court in Melaka has ruled that the Melaka United Soccer Association (Musa) must pay nearly RM700,000 in damages following the tragic death of 18-year-old Australian goalkeeper Stefan Petrovski, who was struck by lightning during a training session in 2016.
The court found Musa negligent and in breach of duty of care, holding them responsible for failing to ensure the safety and well-being of Petrovski, who died nearly a month after the incident due to severe brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen.
On April 3, 2016, Petrovski was training with Melaka United at the Hang Jebat Stadium when he was struck by lightning. He passed away on May 1, after spending weeks in critical condition.
His father, Marco Petrovski, filed a civil suit against Musa and 15 officials, accusing them of gross negligence for:
- Failing to stop training despite worsening weather,
- Not having a doctor present during the session,
- Not providing automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and
- Failing to take out a personal accident insurance policy as required by the contract.
Presiding judge Radzi Abdul Hamid rejected Musa’s defense that medical personnel were not required at training sessions. He ruled that Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) regulations clearly mandate the presence of at least one doctor during both matches and training.
“It makes no sense to appoint a doctor who is not present and has to be summoned in the event of a medical emergency,” said Justice Radzi.
He also criticized Musa for failing to train staff in emergency cardiac response procedures and for the lack of AEDs — both factors that contributed to Petrovski’s death.
The court further ruled that Musa had breached contractual obligations by not providing personal accident insurance for Petrovski, which was clearly stipulated in his professional player contract.
Breakdown of Compensation:
- AU$192,000 (approx. RM528,000) for loss of dependency to the family,
- RM120,000 for failure to insure the player,
- RM50,000 in legal costs.
The total payout amounts to nearly RM700,000.
This case has ignited serious concerns about player safety standards and emergency preparedness in Malaysian football. The judgment serves as a stark reminder that professional clubs have a legal and moral obligation to protect their players — both on and off the pitch.
The Petrovski family’s relentless pursuit of justice highlights the human cost of negligence in sports, and the ruling is expected to set a precedent for stricter safety protocols within the Malaysian football ecosystem.
Credit Photo : MUSA
