Maradona’s Medical Team Faces Trial for Alleged Negligence in His Death

Four years after the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, seven healthcare professionals are set to stand trial next week over allegations of medical negligence during the final days of the 1986 World Cup champion.

The trial, set to begin on Tuesday in San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires, will hear testimonies from more than 100 witnesses, including Maradona’s family members and medical professionals who treated him over the years. If convicted, the accused could face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.

The Case Against the Medical Team

Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 while recovering from brain surgery to remove a blood clot. He was found dead in his bed in a rented house in Tigre, a high-end neighborhood north of Buenos Aires, two weeks after being discharged from the hospital.

An autopsy confirmed that he died of a heart attack. A night nurse later revealed that he had noticed “warning signs” but was instructed “not to wake him up.”

Following his death, Argentina was plunged into mourning. Thousands lined up to pay their final respects, as his body was displayed at the presidential palace.

The seven individuals facing trial include neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna, and nurse Ricardo Almirón. Another nurse, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, will face a separate trial starting in July.

Negligence or Unavoidable Fate?

Prosecutors accuse the medical team of providing “reckless” and “inadequate” home care, claiming Maradona was left to “suffer a prolonged and painful” deterioration before his death.

A panel of 20 medical experts, commissioned by the Argentine prosecutor’s office in 2021, concluded that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” if he had received proper medical attention at a suitable facility.

Each of the accused has denied responsibility. Vadim Mischanchuk, the lawyer representing psychiatrist Cosachov, stated that his client was only responsible for Maradona’s mental health, not his physical well-being.

 Maradona’s family, however, has pointed to leaked audio messages and texts, arguing that they prove his health was in immediate danger. According to Mario Baudry, the lawyer representing Maradona’s son, the messages suggest that the medical team deliberately kept Maradona isolated to prevent his daughters from intervening and potentially removing him from their care.

A Lasting Legacy

Maradona remains an icon in Argentina, immortalized through murals, statues, exhibitions, and even tattoos of his likeness. A new memorial site dedicated to him is set to open in Buenos Aires, covering 1,000 square meters.

His daughter, Dalma Maradona, described the upcoming tribute in a video, stating, “We want our father to always be close to the people’s love.”

As the trial unfolds, the world will watch to see whether justice will be served for one of football’s greatest legends.