Four years after the passing of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, seven healthcare workers will face trial next week over alleged negligence in his medical care.
The trial, set to begin Tuesday in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, will last four months and feature testimony from more than 100 witnesses, including Maradona’s family and former doctors. If convicted, the accused face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.
Background
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at age 60, while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot. He was found lifeless in a rented house where he had been placed under home care. A panel of medical experts later determined that his treatment was inadequate and may have cost him his life.
The Accused & Charges
Among those facing trial are neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, and several other medical professionals, charged with reckless and deficient treatment. Prosecutors claim they abandoned Maradona in his final days, ignoring critical warning signs.
Defense & Fallout
The defendants deny wrongdoing, arguing that their roles in Maradona’s care were misrepresented. Meanwhile, leaked messages suggest the medical team sought to limit his family’s involvement to maintain control over his care and finances.
Maradona’s legacy remains strong in Argentina, with murals, statues, and a planned mausoleum in Buenos Aires expected to draw millions of visitors annually.
