The long-anticipated trial of the medical staff who treated Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has commenced in Buenos Aires.
Maradona, aged 60, passed away from a heart attack at his home in 2020 while recovering from surgery for a brain blood clot earlier that month.
Prosecutors argue that his death was preventable and accuse the medical team of negligence. The defendants counter that Maradona declined further treatment and should have remained hospitalized longer after his operation.
If convicted of “homicide with possible intent,” they face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years. In the opening statement, the prosecution asserted it would present “solid” evidence proving that none of the medical staff fulfilled their duties in what they described as the “horror theatre” of Maradona’s final days.
“Today, Diego Armando Maradona, his children, his relatives, those closest to him, and the Argentine people, deserve justice,” said prosecutor Patricio Ferrari.
Investigators have classified the case as culpable homicide, akin to involuntary manslaughter, arguing that the accused were aware of Maradona’s critical condition but failed to take necessary actions to save him.
The defendants include a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a medical coordinator, a nursing coordinator, a doctor, and the night nurse. The night nurse previously claimed to have noticed “warning signs” but was instructed “not to wake” Maradona.
More than 100 witnesses are expected to testify, with the trial likely to continue until July.
Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, Maradona captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, famously scoring the controversial “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals.
In the latter part of his career, he struggled with cocaine addiction and received a 15-month ban in 1991 after testing positive for the drug.
His death sent shockwaves through the football world and plunged Argentina into mourning, with thousands of fans lining up for hours to pay their respects at his coffin, displayed at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.
