The trial for seven healthcare professionals charged with negligence in the death of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona has commenced in Buenos Aires. The soccer icon experienced a fatal cardiac arrest at the age of 60 in a residence situated outside Buenos Aires on November 25, 2020.
The courtroom proceedings involve three judges who are set to determine whether the accused, which includes a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, and several other medical staff, are guilty of manslaughter—a conviction that carries a possible 25-year prison sentence. The prosecution argues that these professionals failed to provide adequate medical care during Maradona’s final days.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari aims to demonstrate that between November 11-25, 2020, Maradona was moved to a private home in Buenos Aires’ suburban town of Tigre without the mental capacity to make an informed decision about his healthcare. Ferrari contends that this transfer represented a reckless action void of any real medical supervision.
“They left him in that house to die,” Ferrari claimed, emphasizing the lack of care Maradona received. The prosecutor also introduced a striking image showing the former soccer star lying lifeless in bed, highlighting a bloated abdomen that underscored his deteriorating condition.
Present in the courtroom were the visibly emotional family members of the 1986 World Cup champion. His daughters, Dalma and Giannina, were seated alongside Verónica Ojeda, Maradona’s former partner, and Jana, another daughter.
Before the trial began, Ojeda posted a touching video on social media, showing Maradona’s son Diego Fernando wearing a shirt bearing the soccer legend’s face and the word “justice.” The trial, anticipated to last up to four months, is expected to have three court sessions per week.
A significant focus of the trial is on Leonardo Luque, Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal physician for the last four years of his life. Luque had performed brain surgery to remove a clot just weeks prior to the soccer star’s demise. Also on trial is Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov who prescribed the medications Maradona was taking right until his death, along with others involved in his care including psychologist Carlos Díaz, Nancy Forlini, coordinator of the medical service company, Mariano Perroni representing the nursing service provider, Dr. Pedro Di Spagna managing the treatment, and nurse Ricardo Almirón.
Another nurse implicated in the case, Gisela Madrid, is slated to face a jury trial later in the year.
