SEVEN members of the medical team that provided care to Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona prior to his death are set to face trial for homicide beginning Tuesday in Buenos Aires.
Reports indicate that each of the defendants could face a prison sentence ranging from eight to 25 years if found guilty of "homicide with possible intent," as they allegedly continued a course of action despite being aware that it could result in the footballer's demise.
Maradona experienced a heart attack at his rented residence in Tigre, a wealthy area located north of Buenos Aires, where he had been recuperating from surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain just weeks earlier.
The death of the 1986 World Cup icon led to widespread mourning across Argentina, coinciding with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Maradona, who famously guided Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, is celebrated for his remarkable journey from poverty in the challenging outskirts of Buenos Aires to global acclaim.
Seven of the eight medical professionals charged in this case, including Maradona’s neurosurgeon, psychiatrist, and several nurses, are on trial for culpable homicide, a charge akin to involuntary manslaughter. The trial proceedings are anticipated to continue until July.
Prosecutors have accused the medical team of advocating for Maradona to receive home care, which they deemed "reckless" and "entirely inadequate."
They assert that the footballer was left to endure a "prolonged, agonizing period" before his passing. – March 11, 2025
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