A judge ordered this Wednesday to initiate a judicial process for homicide after a medical panel discovered that Maradona’s treatment was plagued by “deficiencies and irregularities”.
The footballer died at the age of 60 in November 2020 in Buenos Aires after suffering a heart attack while recovering at home from surgery for a blood clot in the brain.
A few days after his death, Argentine prosecutors launched an investigation into the health personnel involved in his care.
Last year, the 20-expert panel appointed to examine the causes of death found that Maradona’s medical team acted “inappropriately, poorly and recklessly.”
It also concluded that the footballer “would have had a better chance of surviving” with proper treatment at a suitable medical center, according to the court ruling.
The accused
Among the defendants are Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, a psychiatrist and a psychologist, two doctors, a head nurse and stretcher bearers.
All have denied their responsibility in the death of the former soccer player.
The eight will be tried under a legal definition of “homicide” in which it is seen as negligence committed knowing that it may lead to the death of a person.
The crime can carry a sentence of eight to 25 years in prison, according to the Argentine penal code. A trial date has not yet been set.
Mario Baudry, a lawyer for one of Maradona’s sons, told Reuters the soccer legend was “in a defenseless situation” at the time of his death.
“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,” he said.
The process
The judicial process was initiated by a complaint filed by two of Maradona’s daughters, who expressed concern about the treatment of his father after the brain operation.
In an emotional press conference in November 2020, Dr. Luque denied that he had anything to do with the death and said that he had done everything possible to save the life of a friend.
“Do 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 until the end,” he said.
Diego Maradona is considered one of the best soccer players in history.
He was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarterfinals.
During the second half of his career, Maradona battled cocaine addiction and was suspended for 15 months after testing positive for the drug in 1991.
The news of his death plunged the soccer world – and his country, Argentina – into deep mourning, with thousands of people queuing for hours to watch over his coffin at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.
