Four years after the passing of Argentine football icon Diego Maradona, seven medical professionals involved in his care are set to stand trial for criminal negligence in his death.
The trial, which begins today in Buenos Aires, will examine whether medical malpractice or recklessness contributed to the legendary player’s demise on November 25, 2020.
Allegations of Negligence
Maradona, who was 60 at the time of his death, was recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot when he suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in an upscale neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny, as prosecutors argue that the medical team failed to provide proper care, despite knowing the potential risks of their actions.
The defendants—who include neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, and five other medical staff—face charges of “homicide with possible intent,” a legal term implying that they continued a course of action despite being aware it could result in Maradona’s death. If found guilty, they could face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.
Prosecutors claim that Maradona’s medical team displayed “reckless” and “deficient” behavior, providing inadequate care to a patient with complex health issues, including a history of heart disease, alcohol abuse, and past drug addiction. Investigations have revealed that Maradona was left without proper monitoring in the days leading up to his death, raising questions about whether medical staff failed to act on warning signs.
Trial Details and Expected Testimonies
The long-delayed trial will take place in San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires, with over 100 witnesses expected to testify, including Maradona’s relatives and past medical professionals who treated him. The hearings are set to continue until July, reflecting the complexity of the case.
The prosecution is likely to rely on a 2021 medical board report that found Maradona’s care was “inadequate, deficient, and reckless.” The report stated that his medical team “abandoned him to his fate” and suggested he had been suffering for at least 12 hours before his death. Additionally, the report concluded that Maradona would have had a better chance of survival if he had received appropriate medical attention.
Defense lawyers for the accused, however, argue that Maradona was a difficult patient who repeatedly refused medical treatment. They claim that his lifestyle choices, including past substance abuse, played a significant role in his declining health and ultimate death.
The Aftermath of Maradona’s Death
Maradona’s passing sent shockwaves around the world, especially in Argentina, where he remains a national hero. His death was met with an outpouring of grief, with tens of thousands of fans lining up at the Casa Rosada presidential palace to pay their last respects as his body lay in state.
The World Cup winner, who led Argentina to glory in Mexico 1986, was widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His brilliance on the field was matched by a tumultuous personal life, often making headlines for his battles with addiction and controversies off the pitch.
His final days were marked by a series of health complications. Despite undergoing brain surgery just weeks before his death, he was discharged to a home that lacked the proper medical infrastructure to care for someone in his condition, according to the prosecution.
A Landmark Case in Argentina
The trial of Maradona’s medical team is one of the most high-profile legal cases in Argentina’s recent history. It raises broader concerns about medical negligence and the responsibilities of healthcare professionals in treating high-profile patients.
For Maradona’s family and fans, the case represents an opportunity for justice, ensuring accountability for what they believe was preventable medical mismanagement.
However, legal experts predict that the trial could take months or even years before reaching a final verdict, given the complexity of medical evidence and witness testimonies.
As proceedings begin, all eyes will be on the Buenos Aires courtroom, where Argentina will seek answers to the lingering question: Did Diego Maradona die due to natural causes, or was his death the result of medical negligence?
