Diego Maradona trial latest: Seven medics face up to 25 years in prison for Argentine football icon’s death
Diego Maradona died aged 60 after a heart attack in 2020, while recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain weeks earlier
A trial is set to begin for seven medics accused of negligence in their treatment of Argentine footballing icon Diego Maradona, who died in 2020.
Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen, died aged 60 after suffering a heart attack in his sleep in November 2020.
Neurosurgeon and family doctor Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are among the medics facing trial on negligence charges, which could see them imprisoned for up to 25 years.
They are accused of failing to properly care for the Argentine legend in his Buenos Aires home and of failing to adequately hospitalise him. An independent report by 20 medical professionals found that he could still be alive if he had been treated more effectively.
Maradona is a hero in Argentina, which was swept by an outpouring of emotion after his death. Mourners clashed with police outside the presidential palace as huge crowds tried to view his body lying in state.
His career peaked in the 1980s when he played for Italian club Napoli and led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. But his life was marred by a long-term cocaine addiction which ledto him being banned from football twice in 1991 and 1994.
Trial of doctors over Diego Maradona's death set to begin
Seven medics alleged to be involved in the death of football legend Diego Maradona will go on trial today.
The case will capture the attention of a nation which adores one of the world’s greatest ever footballers, a cultural icon whose legacy in Argentina extended far beyond the football pitch.
If found guilty on the allegations of negligence - which they deny - the medics could face up to 25 years in prison.
The trial will be heard by a three-judge court in the suburb of San Isidro, Buenos Aires, and is expected to last until July with at least three hearings planned each week.
Full report: Maradona’s medics are set to go on trial over the Argentinian football legend’s death. His daughter claims there was a cover-up
Seven doctors and nurses will go on trial on Monday accused of playing a role in the death of Argentine footballing icon Diego Maradona.
Neurosurgeon and family doctor Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are among the medical professionals facing trial on negligence charges.
Maradona died aged 60 on 25 November 2020 after suffering a cardiac arrest while sleeping in his home of Dique Luján, Buenos Aires Province.
Three days of national mourning were declared after the 1986 World Cup winner’s death. Huge crowds of mourners queued for more than a kilometre to see his body lie in state in the presidential palace, some clashing with police in emotional scenes as they tried to close the palace.
Read the full report here:
Maradona’s medics to go on trial over Argentine football legend’s death
Diego Maradona's football career in pictures
What failings are the medics accused of?
Maradona died in his sleep less than two weeks after being released from hospital where he had undergone brain surgery for a subdural hematoma.
An explosive medical report in 2021, a medical board made up of experts accused Maradona’s medical team of acting in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner”.
Experts questioned why he was released so soon from hospital after his brain operation when he was unable to care for himself - and had limited access to critical medical devices.
The report also concluded that the SSC Napoli legend could have still been alive were he adequately hospitalised after “signs of risk of life were ignored” by his medical team.
For instance, the report said, medics overlooked Maradona’s “unusual body swelling,” a sign of possible heart failure.
Maradona, who suffered from cardiac insufficiency and agonized for up to 12 hours, did not receive adequate treatment for a patient in his condition. Maradona had not undergone any heart or lab tests in the two weeks leading to his death.
In pictures: Maradona's family and fans gather for trial
What to expect over the coming months
The Maradona trial will last until July, with at least three hearings to take place each week.
Concerning one of the most beloved sporting figures in history, the trial will capture the world’s attention, with prosecutors arguing that Maradona should still be alive today.
On the trial’s first day - which is today - prosecutors will read out the indictment before the witness testimony begins.
It is expected to last around three to four months and some 110 witnesses will be called to the stand.
The prosecution will present more than 120,000 messages and audio recordings which come from private conversations between doctors and others involved in Maradona’s care.
Final arguments will be made at the end of the trial before a date is set for a verdict. The defendants are unlikely to be detained before or during the trial.
Watch: Diego Maradona carried out of stadium after health problem at 2018 World Cup
Who are the defendants and what do they say?
All eight medics accused of being involved in Maradona’s death deny any wrongdoing.
One of the nurses, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, has asked to be tried separately by jury at a later date - so only seven of the medics are going on trial today.
The defence commissioned its own study to support its claim that Maradona’s death was “sudden and without agony”.
Here is a list of the defendants:
- Leopoldo Luque, a neurologist and Maradona’s personal doctor who performed surgery removing his brain blood clot weeks before he died. Mr Luque oversaw Maradona’s hospital-to-home transition after the surgery, raising questions at the swiftness of his discharge.
- Agustina Cosachov, a psychiatrist who prescribed Maradona’s medications. Maradona had psychotropic drugs for anxiety and depression in his syste when he died.
- Carlos Diaz, an addiction specialist who had overseen Maradona’s treatment for alcohol dependency.
- Nancy Forlini, a doctor who had helped manage Maradona’s home care.
- Mariano Perroni, a nursing coordinator.
- Ricardo Almirón, another nurse who tended to the former athlete.
- Pedro Pablo Di Spagna, a clinical physician.
All we want is justice, says family lawyer
The family of Diego Maradona want to see justice done in the court case of seven of his medical team, a lawyer for the brother has said.
"There are more than enough elements to prove that Diego was not treated properly," Mario Baudry, lawyer for one of Maradona's sons who together with other family members brought the case forward, told reporters.
"Justice has accused them of homicide with eventual intent. Let's hope that justice is done, that's what we all want," the lawyer added.
Doctors lying if they claim ignorance about Maradona's decline, prosecutor tells judges
Anyone who says they did not notice the medical troubles plaguing Diego Maradona shortly before his death is “lying to your face”, a prosecutor has told judges in court.
Patricio Ferrari held up an image of Maradona shortly after his death, showing him lying on his back.
"Look, this is how Maradona died,” Mr Ferrari told the court.
"Whoever tells you, the judges, that they did not notice what was happening to Diego is lying to your face,” he added according to Clarino.
In emotional scenes in the Buenos Aires courthouse, two of Maradona’s daughters can be seen in tears as Mr Ferrari shows the photo to the judges.
"While this was going on," Ferrari added with the photo in hand, "the whole gang was only interested in completing records and forms to prove they had done what they weren't doing ."
"The medical team treating him, as well as those responsible for this failed and reckless hospitalisation, must be held jointly responsible for the death of Diego Maradona," he added.
