Dauda says Dinamo Minsk used heart fears over toilet-paper contract

Former Nigeria forward Abiola Dauda has alleged that Belarusian club Dinamo Minsk tried to frighten him into accepting a contract during a medical examination, with the document supposedly written on toilet paper. Dauda, who is now a talent scout, made the claim in an X post on Monday.

The 38-year-old said the dispute centred on two heart-related findings identified during examinations: increased thickness of the heart muscle and a T-wave inversion on an electrocardiogram. He said both findings are seen among West African athletes but are less common in Europe.

Dauda first encountered the issue in 2008, after joining Swedish club Kalmar FF, his first professional team. He said medical staff found the same characteristics and that he was required to complete yearly checks throughout his career. Although doctors cleared him to play, Kalmar’s coach initially preferred to use him as a substitute because of concerns about his ability to complete matches.

The former striker said that restriction was frustrating, but he continued to avoid anything that could affect his capacity to play. After two years, he said, the coach began selecting him for full matches and he experienced no problems.

The findings were also raised when Dauda underwent medical tests before joining Red Star Belgrade. He said the Serbian club shortened the proposed two-year contract to 18 months and reduced the financial terms because of doubts over his fitness. The examination lasted three days, included wearing a heart monitor while sleeping, and ended with him being cleared to play.

Dauda described the Dinamo Minsk medical as the most troubling episode involving his heart. He did not say whether he eventually signed the alleged toilet-paper contract. He shared the experience as a warning to young African players about cardiac screening and the way results that can be common among West Africans may be interpreted during moves to European clubs.