Prosecutors in Argentina have called for a maximum 12-year prison sentence for the personal doctor of football legend Diego Maradona, accusing members of his medical team of gross negligence in the days leading up to his death. The sentencing demands were presented during closing arguments on Thursday in the trial of seven healthcare professionals charged over the death of the former Argentina captain.
Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, died on 25 November 2020, aged 60, while recovering from surgery for a brain haemorrhage. He suffered a cardiac arrest and acute pulmonary oedema, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs, at a rented house in Tigre, a suburb of Buenos Aires. His death came about two weeks after the operation.
The trial, which began in April, centres on allegations that those responsible for his care failed to provide adequate medical supervision and respond appropriately to his deteriorating condition. The defendants, including his personal physician, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, nurses and medical coordinators, have denied wrongdoing.
During the closing arguments, prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused the medical team of leaving Maradona without proper support because of what he described as chaotic management of his care.
Ferrari argued that the defendants had failed in their professional duties, disregarded established medical practices and neglected measures that should have been taken to protect the patient.
The charges are based on the legal concept of dolus eventualis. Under this principle, a person may be held criminally responsible when they recognise the possibility of a serious consequence resulting from their conduct but proceed regardless. The court must determine whether the evidence supports the allegations against each defendant.
Prosecutors have requested a prison term of up to 12 years for Maradona’s personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque. They have sought sentences ranging from four to 10 years for the other healthcare professionals involved in his treatment.
The defendants maintain that Maradona’s death was unexpected and insist that they fulfilled their responsibilities. Each has sought to distance themselves from personal responsibility for the circumstances surrounding his death.
Questions over treatment at home
A central issue in the case is whether Maradona should have remained in hospital rather than receiving post-operative care at home. Prosecutors argue that the decision to treat him in a domestic setting left him without the facilities and emergency support required for a patient whose health was potentially unstable.
According to the prosecution, the rented property lacked essential medical equipment, including a hospital bed and a defibrillator, as well as an ambulance and other basic facilities for emergency care.
A defibrillator is a device that delivers a controlled electric shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm in certain life-threatening cardiac emergencies. Its absence has been cited by prosecutors as one indication of the alleged inadequacy of the arrangements made for Maradona’s recovery.
Several medical specialists who testified during the proceedings reportedly described warning signs that emerged before his death. These included oedema, tachycardia, which is an abnormally rapid heart rate, and breathing difficulties.
Prosecutors contend that these symptoms should have prompted timely medical intervention. They argue that the medical team failed to respond adequately as Maradona’s condition worsened.
Assistant prosecutor Cosme Iribarren said on Thursday that the footballer’s death had not occurred without warning, arguing that signs of the impending tragedy had become apparent well before he died.
The prosecution’s case therefore focuses not only on the circumstances of the fatal cardiac event but also on whether the medical professionals recognised the seriousness of Maradona’s condition and took appropriate steps to address it.
Emotional scenes as photographs are shown
The closing arguments began with prosecutors presenting photographs of Maradona’s body after his death. The images showed his abdomen appearing unusually swollen, prompting an emotional reaction from his daughters, who were present in court and covered their faces rather than look at them.
The photographs formed part of the prosecution’s presentation of the physical circumstances surrounding his death. The proceedings have drawn considerable attention because of Maradona’s global sporting legacy and the serious questions raised about the care he received in his final days.
Maradona had a long history of health problems, including struggles with substance addiction. However, the central question before the court is whether the medical team responsible for his post-operative care met its professional obligations, regardless of his previous health difficulties.
The defendants have rejected the allegations, leaving the court to assess the evidence, the medical testimony and the individual responsibilities of those involved.
Previous trial collapsed over documentary controversy
The current proceedings follow the collapse of an earlier trial concerning Maradona’s death. That case was abandoned last year after approximately two and a half months of hearings when it emerged that one of the judges had participated in a secret documentary about the case.
The judge’s involvement raised concerns about the impartiality of the proceedings, ultimately bringing the original trial to an end. The case subsequently returned to court, with seven healthcare professionals facing allegations of negligence.
The closing arguments are expected to continue for approximately two weeks before the court delivers its verdict. The judges will then determine whether the prosecution has established the defendants’ criminal responsibility and whether any of them should receive prison sentences.
Maradona’s death remains one of the most closely watched legal cases involving the medical care of a prominent sporting figure. Beyond the question of individual accountability, the proceedings have highlighted broader concerns about post-operative supervision, emergency preparedness and the responsibilities of healthcare professionals caring for seriously ill patients outside hospital.
The final ruling will establish whether the evidence is sufficient to hold any members of Maradona’s medical team criminally responsible for the circumstances that led to his death.
