Prosecutors seek jail time for eight doctors in Maradona death case
Charges have been filed against eight physicians who treated the late Argentine football icon Diego Armando Maradona, according to AFP. The case hinges on new circumstances revealed during an ongoing investigation into the November 2020 death of the World Cup legend, who played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys. Investigators say there was a level of neglect among staff, with improvisations, omissions, and a sequence of what prosecutors consider erroneous decisions that affected the patient care.
Testimony summarized in the closing filing of the Argentine prosecutor’s office argues that Maradona was left exposed to risk and that inaction, coupled with poor treatment, left him in a vulnerable state. Prosecutors describe as outrageous the decision to treat him at home rather than hospitalizing him, which they say contributed to the deterioration of his condition.
Under Argentine law, physicians can face murder charges by dolmas eventualis, a concept referring to indirect causation when negligence is proven and a link to the death is established. The list of suspects includes neurosurgeon and family doctor Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Kosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz. If guilt is proven, the doctors could face prison terms ranging from eight to 25 years.
Maradona died on November 25, 2020. Earlier in the month, on November 3, he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and underwent surgery the following day. He was discharged from the hospital on November 12.
The results of the investigation were confirmed by Maradona’s personal attorney during a hearing. The attorney indicated that mistakes occurred throughout the process, alleging that the patient was medicated in a way that may have contributed to deterioration, and that these actions ultimately affected the heart. The lawyer noted that after the operation, doctors recommended hospital oversight, but relatives moved Maradona to a rented house outside Buenos Aires. He described the decision as misguided, stressing that hospital supervision was essential for his recovery.
On the day of his passing, November 25, 2020, Maradona reportedly woke feeling unwell, went to bed, and died in his sleep between early morning hours and around 6 a.m. Medical reviews circulating in world media indicate that the death occurred during sleep, though informal accounts note a later confirmation of the event by medical personnel who responded that afternoon. In the days that followed, medical staff conducted resuscitation efforts, and subsequently, the heart of the former athlete was preserved during the funeral proceedings. A prominent journalist later commented that Maradona’s heart was notably large, a characteristic often associated with athletes, though other factors also played a role in the cardiac event.
Throughout his international career, Maradona represented Argentina in 91 matches, scoring 34 goals. He was widely celebrated for his performance at the 1986 World Cup, where he earned recognition as the tournament’s best player. In the 1990 World Cup, he helped lead the team to the final, finishing as runners-up to West Germany. These historical notes remain part of the broader narrative surrounding Maradona’s impact on football and his enduring legacy in the sport.