Seven members of the medical team that treated Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona before his passing will stand trial for homicide starting Tuesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The case centers on allegations of negligence by the healthcare professionals, which are believed to have contributed to Maradona’s death in 2020 at the age of 60. This tragic event sparked immense mourning in his homeland and around the globe.
Maradona suffered a heart attack at his residence in Tigre, a prestigious area north of Buenos Aires, where he was recuperating following brain surgery to remove a blood clot. Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history, Maradona famously guided Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986 and inspired many with his remarkable journey from poverty in the outskirts of Buenos Aires to international stardom.
Despite his struggles with drug addiction, obesity, and alcoholism over the years, it was determined by prosecutors that, had it not been for the alleged negligence of his medical team, Maradona’s death could have been prevented. Seven individuals, including Maradona’s brain surgeon, psychiatrist, and nurses, are now facing charges of culpable homicide, a crime akin to involuntary manslaughter. They maintain their innocence but could potentially receive up to 25 years in prison.
The trial will take place in San Isidro, a green suburb of Buenos Aires, with a panel of three judges presiding over the proceedings. Among those on trial are Maradona’s longtime personal doctor, who performed the critical surgery, and the psychiatrist responsible for his medication regimen. Additional defendants include an addiction specialist, a doctor overseeing Maradona’s home care, a nursing coordinator, and other medical professionals who attended to Maradona before his passing.
The accusations against the medical team emerged following a thorough investigation by a medical board comprising various experts. The board’s report, released in 2021, criticized the team’s handling of Maradona’s medical care, citing deficiencies and recklessness in their approach. The experts raised concerns about the premature discharge of Maradona from the hospital, noting that he lacked necessary medical equipment and support at home.
Overall, the trial is expected to shed light on the events leading to Maradona’s tragic death and determine accountability for the healthcare professionals involved in his care.
A panel found that medical professionals failed to properly monitor Maradona, leading to his death. The report highlighted deficiencies in his treatment, such as overlooking signs of heart failure and not conducting necessary tests. The prosecution will present over 120,000 messages and recordings as evidence.
The medical team denies any wrongdoing, citing Maradona’s resistance to treatment. They claim his death was sudden and without suffering, despite the panel’s findings. Maradona’s last days were marked by isolation, depression, and alcohol use, exacerbated by his health issues.
The trial is set to continue until July, with multiple hearings each week. Witness testimony will begin after the indictment is read. The prosecution and defense will present their arguments, and a verdict date will be scheduled. None of the defendants are expected to be detained during the trial.
