In brief
A retrial into the death of Diego Maradona, who passed away in 2020, starts today amidst serious allegations against his medical team for culpable homicide. The trial, which follows a previous case that collapsed over procedural issues, may have significant ramifications for the defendants facing severe penalties if convicted. Over 100 witnesses are expected to testify, including Maradona's daughters, with the trial projected to last until July.
A retrial into the death of the football great Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 after suffering heart failure, starts on Tuesday.
The first trial in May 2025 collapsed after one of the three judges on the case allegedly allowed unauthorised filming in court for a documentary.
Maradona's medical team are accused of failing to administer proper medical care, and seven people will be tried for homicide with possible intent. They deny the allegations. If convicted, they face between eight and 25 years in prison.
The football legend had been recovering at his home in Tigre, in Buenos Aires province, after successful surgery on a brain blood clot earlier that month.
Investigators classified the case as culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter, because they said the accused were aware of the seriousness of Maradona's health condition but did not take the necessary measures to save him.
The heart failure caused him to suffer acute pulmonary oedema, when fluid builds up in the lungs, the preliminary autopsy confirmed.
A panel of medical experts, asked by prosecutors to investigate Maradona's medical team, described the treatment he received at home as 'deficient and reckless', concluding that he 'would have had a better chance of survival' had he received adequate treatment in a proper medical facility.
The seven individuals on trial include his main medical adviser, Leopoldo Luque, and his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov. His former nurse, Dahiana Gisela Madrid, will stand in a separate trial.
Around 100 people are set to testify in front of a new set of judges at a court in San Isidro, including Maradona's daughters. The trial is expected to last until July.
When the footballer died on November 25, 2020, then-President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning, stating, 'Thank you for having existed, Diego. We're going to miss you all our lives.'
Maradona’s illustrious career began with Argentinos Juniors, later representing Argentina in four World Cups and scoring 34 goals. He is notably remembered for the infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England in 1986.
However, his later career was marred by struggles with cocaine addiction, resulting in a 15-month ban after testing positive in 1991. He retired from professional football in 1997, on his 37th birthday.
Maradona also had coaching stints with Argentina's national team and various clubs across the globe, leading Gimnasia y Esgrima at the time of his untimely death.
