A judge has recently ordered a culpable homicide trial after a medical panel found Diego
Armando Maradona’s treatment was rife with “deficiencies and irregularities.”
Maradona died in November 2020 of a heart attack in Buenos Aires at the age of 60. Only a
few days after his death, Argentine prosecutors launched an investigation into the doctors and nurses involved in his care. It also concluded that the famous footballer would have a “better chance of survival” with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility, according to the court ruling.
Among those facing charges are Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo
Luque, a psychiatrist, psychologist, two doctors, two nurses, and their boss. They have all denied any responsibility for his death.
All eight will be tried on a legal definition of homicide based on negligence committed in the
the knowledge that it may lead to someone’s death. According to Argentina’s penal code, the crime can hold a sentence of eight to 25 years in prison. A date for the trial has not been set yet. Mario Baudrey, a lawyer for one of Maradona’s sons, told Reuters that the football legend was “in a situation of helplessness” by the time of his death. “As soon as I saw the cause, I said it was a homicide. I fought for a long time and here we are, with this stage completed,” he said.
The legal proceedings were prompted by a complaint filed by two of Maradona’s daughters.
They raised concerns about their father’s treatment after the brain operation.
In an emotional press conference in November 2020, Dr. Luque cried, saying he had done all
he could to save the life of a friend. At one point, the doctor shot back at reporters, saying, “You want to know what I am responsible for? For having loved him, for having taken care of him, for having extended his life, for having improved it to the end.”
The doctor said he had done “everything he could, up to the impossible.”
It was far earlier than anyone had wanted to say goodbye to Maradona. These charges may at
least give answers over the exact circumstances behind the death of one of Argentina’s greatest sons.
Armando Maradona’s treatment was rife with “deficiencies and irregularities.”
Maradona died in November 2020 of a heart attack in Buenos Aires at the age of 60. Only a
few days after his death, Argentine prosecutors launched an investigation into the doctors and nurses involved in his care. It also concluded that the famous footballer would have a “better chance of survival” with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility, according to the court ruling.
Among those facing charges are Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo
Luque, a psychiatrist, psychologist, two doctors, two nurses, and their boss. They have all denied any responsibility for his death.
All eight will be tried on a legal definition of homicide based on negligence committed in the
the knowledge that it may lead to someone’s death. According to Argentina’s penal code, the crime can hold a sentence of eight to 25 years in prison. A date for the trial has not been set yet. Mario Baudrey, a lawyer for one of Maradona’s sons, told Reuters that the football legend was “in a situation of helplessness” by the time of his death. “As soon as I saw the cause, I said it was a homicide. I fought for a long time and here we are, with this stage completed,” he said.
The legal proceedings were prompted by a complaint filed by two of Maradona’s daughters.
They raised concerns about their father’s treatment after the brain operation.
In an emotional press conference in November 2020, Dr. Luque cried, saying he had done all
he could to save the life of a friend. At one point, the doctor shot back at reporters, saying, “You want to know what I am responsible for? For having loved him, for having taken care of him, for having extended his life, for having improved it to the end.”
The doctor said he had done “everything he could, up to the impossible.”
It was far earlier than anyone had wanted to say goodbye to Maradona. These charges may at
least give answers over the exact circumstances behind the death of one of Argentina’s greatest sons.
