Four years after the passing of Argentine football legend, Diego Maradona, seven healthcare professionals are set to face trial next week over alleged negligence in his final days.
The trial, scheduled to begin on Tuesday in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, will span four months and include testimonies from over 100 witnesses, including Maradona’s family members and medical professionals who treated him over the years.
If found guilty, the accused face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.
The Circumstances of His Death
Maradona, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest icons, died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60.
He had been recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot while also battling long-standing struggles with alcohol and cocaine addiction.
He passed away from a heart attack in a rented home in an upscale Buenos Aires neighbourhood, just two weeks after being discharged from the hospital.
According to the night nurse on duty, there were “warning signs,” but he had been instructed “not to wake him up.”
His sudden passing, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, sent Argentina into mourning. Thousands lined up to pay their final respects as his body was laid in state at the presidential palace.
The Accused
Facing trial are neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, doctor Pedro Pablo Di Spagna, and nurse Ricardo Almiro.
Another nurse, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, has opted for a separate jury trial, scheduled to begin in July.
The Charges
Prosecutors argue that Maradona was subjected to “reckless” and “deficient” medical care at home, leaving him in an agonizing state for a prolonged period before his death.
A panel of 20 medical experts, convened by Argentina’s public prosecutor in 2021, determined that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” had he received proper care in a suitable medical facility.
The investigating magistrate maintains that each of the accused played a role in the events leading to his death.
The Defense
All seven defendants deny any wrongdoing.
Vadim Mischanchuk, the lawyer representing psychiatrist Cosachov, remains confident in her acquittal, emphasizing that her role was to oversee Maradona’s mental health, not his physical condition.
However, Maradona’s family argues otherwise. Mario Baudry, the lawyer representing Maradona’s son Dieguito, claims leaked audio recordings and text messages suggest the medical team deliberately kept his daughters from intervening to avoid losing financial benefits.
Maradona’s Legacy
Even in death, Maradona remains a revered figure in Argentina, honoured through murals, statues, exhibitions, and even tattoos worn by devoted fans.
Plans are also underway for a mausoleum in central Buenos Aires, spanning 1,000 square meters.
“We want our father to be close to the love of the people,” his daughter, Dalma Maradona, stated in a video unveiling the memorial site, which is expected to welcome up to a million visitors annually and will be free for Argentines.
