On June 22nd, an Argentine court ordered a public trial for eight medical personnel involved in the care of soccer star Diego Maradona. The medical team were accused of criminal negligence after an investigation suggested that the team failed to take proper care of the Argentine legend.
Maradona died in November 2020 of a heart attack while recovering from a brain surgery. The entire nation mourned for three days as thousands of fans shed tears next to his coffin, showing their deepest grief and respect towards the Argentine star. Soon following the heartbreak, controversies and doubts were raised on Maradona’s death.
In 2021, a medical panel concluded that Maradona’s medical staff acted in an “inappropriate and deficient manner”. Instead of staying in the hospital, Maradona was recovering at his home in Buenos Aires, a risky action that his medical team could have prevented. In addition, rumors said that the footballer’s psychologist Agustina Cosachov signed Maradona’s mental fitness certificate without paying a visit.
Two of Maradona’s daughters filed complaints about the medical team’s negligence while the soccer legend’s sons also joined in as prosecutors. “As soon as I saw the cause, I said it was homicide,” said Mario Baudry, the lawyer for Maradona’s son. On Wednesday following the complaints and the results of the investigation, Judge Orlando Diaz issued a public trial of the medical team under the charge of unintentional homicide. If this accusation holds true, defendants could be sentenced up to 25 years in prison.
Immediately after the court’s announcement, all medical team members denied responsibility for his death. Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s personal doctor, has made it clear that he had nothing to do with the footballer’s death and would appeal the court’s ruling. Earlier in an emotional press conference, he said that he had done everything to save the soccer legend’s life. To defend Luque from the accusation about home hospitalization, his attorney said that the decision was made by two companies, Medidom and Swiss Medical, and that the home recovery was meant to help Maradona overcome alcohol addiction.
With the world’s eye on the trial, we will soon find out the answers over the exact situation behind the Argentine legend’s death.
Maradona died in November 2020 of a heart attack while recovering from a brain surgery. The entire nation mourned for three days as thousands of fans shed tears next to his coffin, showing their deepest grief and respect towards the Argentine star. Soon following the heartbreak, controversies and doubts were raised on Maradona’s death.
In 2021, a medical panel concluded that Maradona’s medical staff acted in an “inappropriate and deficient manner”. Instead of staying in the hospital, Maradona was recovering at his home in Buenos Aires, a risky action that his medical team could have prevented. In addition, rumors said that the footballer’s psychologist Agustina Cosachov signed Maradona’s mental fitness certificate without paying a visit.
Two of Maradona’s daughters filed complaints about the medical team’s negligence while the soccer legend’s sons also joined in as prosecutors. “As soon as I saw the cause, I said it was homicide,” said Mario Baudry, the lawyer for Maradona’s son. On Wednesday following the complaints and the results of the investigation, Judge Orlando Diaz issued a public trial of the medical team under the charge of unintentional homicide. If this accusation holds true, defendants could be sentenced up to 25 years in prison.
Immediately after the court’s announcement, all medical team members denied responsibility for his death. Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s personal doctor, has made it clear that he had nothing to do with the footballer’s death and would appeal the court’s ruling. Earlier in an emotional press conference, he said that he had done everything to save the soccer legend’s life. To defend Luque from the accusation about home hospitalization, his attorney said that the decision was made by two companies, Medidom and Swiss Medical, and that the home recovery was meant to help Maradona overcome alcohol addiction.
With the world’s eye on the trial, we will soon find out the answers over the exact situation behind the Argentine legend’s death.
