The legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona’s death could have been prevented. Eight medical officials are being accused of causing his death. They will stand trial for criminal negligence.
In November 2020, Maradona died of a heart attack in Buenos Aires. He was 60 years old. He was not the healthiest man, as he struggled with addiction. His addiction damaged his body and brain. He was recovering at home after having surgery for a brain clot.
Shortly after he died, Argentine prosecutors started an investigation into the medical professionals that took care of him. Maradona’s daughter was the first to raise concerns about her father’s death. What they found was shocking. 20 hired experts all came to the same conclusion. They found that Maradona’s medical team was behaving in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner.”
They also discovered that Maradona “would’ve had a better chance of survival” with sufficient treatment in a better medical facility. These findings were included in the court hearing.
Mario Beaudry, a lawyer for Maradona’s son, said Maradona was “in a situation of helplessness” as he died. He added, “As soon as I saw the cause, I said it was homicide. I fought for a long time, and here we are, with this stage completed,”
George Wright, a writer for BBC News, said, “Among those facing charges are Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, a psychiatrist and psychologist, two doctors, two nurses, and their boss. They all have denied responsibility for his death.”
If convicted of criminal negligence, the defendants could face 8-25 years in prison.
In a press conference, Dr. Luque cried that he had done “everything he could, up to the impossible.” He added, “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.”
As one of the greats in football, Maradona’s death devastated many. Thousands of fans visited his coffin in tears. The date for the trial has yet to be set; however, the charges give fans justice for the loss of their idol.
In November 2020, Maradona died of a heart attack in Buenos Aires. He was 60 years old. He was not the healthiest man, as he struggled with addiction. His addiction damaged his body and brain. He was recovering at home after having surgery for a brain clot.
Shortly after he died, Argentine prosecutors started an investigation into the medical professionals that took care of him. Maradona’s daughter was the first to raise concerns about her father’s death. What they found was shocking. 20 hired experts all came to the same conclusion. They found that Maradona’s medical team was behaving in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner.”
They also discovered that Maradona “would’ve had a better chance of survival” with sufficient treatment in a better medical facility. These findings were included in the court hearing.
Mario Beaudry, a lawyer for Maradona’s son, said Maradona was “in a situation of helplessness” as he died. He added, “As soon as I saw the cause, I said it was homicide. I fought for a long time, and here we are, with this stage completed,”
George Wright, a writer for BBC News, said, “Among those facing charges are Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, a psychiatrist and psychologist, two doctors, two nurses, and their boss. They all have denied responsibility for his death.”
If convicted of criminal negligence, the defendants could face 8-25 years in prison.
In a press conference, Dr. Luque cried that he had done “everything he could, up to the impossible.” He added, “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.”
As one of the greats in football, Maradona’s death devastated many. Thousands of fans visited his coffin in tears. The date for the trial has yet to be set; however, the charges give fans justice for the loss of their idol.
