The trial for Maradona’s alleged homicide begins, four years after his death

This Tuesday, Argentina and the entire world prepare for the beginning of a trial that has captured national and international attention: The judicial process against eight health professionals accused of “simple homicide with eventual intent” in relation to the death of Diego Armando Maradona. The football star died on November 25, 2020 at 60, and since then, the circumstances surrounding their death have been subject to scrutiny.

Maradona, known worldwide for his exceptional talent as a footballer, his sentimental dishes and his addictions, but also for his charismatic personality, He had undergone cerebral surgery in early November 2020 to treat a subdural hematoma. After the operation, he was discharged and transferred to a private residence on the outskirts of Buenos Aires to continue his recovery under medical supervision. However, on November 25, he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Autopsy revealed that the cause of death It was an “acute lung edema secondary to reacted chronic heart failure”, in addition to “dilated cardiomyopathy”.

The news of his death shocked the entire world, especially Argentina, and Italy, where Maradona is considered an almost divine figure. His legacy in football, including the leadership of the Argentine National Team to the World Championship in 1986, made it a cultural and sports icon. However, his life was also marked by personal struggles, including addictions and health problems, which were widely publicized.

After his death, questions arose about the quality of the medical care he received during his recovery. A medical board convened in 2021 He concluded that the team that attended Maradona acted “inappropriate, poor and reckless”. This report was fundamental for Argentine Justice to decide to impute eight health professionals involved in their care.

The defendants include the neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, the psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, the psychologist Carlos Díaz, the medical domiciliary care coordinator Nancy Forlini, the nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, and the nurses Ricardo Omar Almirón and Dahiana Gisela Madrid, in addition to the clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagna. All of them face charges of “simple homicide with eventual intent”, a crime that in Argentina entails sentences between 8 and 25 years in prison.

Maradona’s figure is complex. While his ability in the field raised him to the status of legend, his personal life was plagued with controversies. Despite his personal challenges, his status of worship in Argentina lasts. A mural at the Pereyra Sportivo Club in Buenos Aires represents it as a deity, reflecting the feeling of many fans who consider it even above other football figures.

The trial that is about to begin has been subject to multiple postponements. Initially scheduled for June 2024, it was postponed to October of the same year and subsequently reprogrammed by March 2025. The defense of some of the defendants requested these postponements to properly prepare their legal strategies.

One of the central points of the trial will be to determine whether negligence on the part of the medical team in Maradona’s health management during home recovery. The Prosecutor’s Office argues that health professionals acted poorly and recklessly, and that they were aware that their actions could lead to the death of the former soccer player. On the other hand, the defenses argue that Maradona was a difficult patient, with a history of addictions and health problems that complicated their treatment.

The trial will be held in the courts of San Isidro, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and is expected to last several months. Approximately 120 testimonies have been scheduled, and The tests include more than 120,000 messages and recordings related to the medical care that Maradona received.

Argentine society follows this process with great interest and emotions found. While some seek justice and hold those who consider negligent in the death of their idol, others believe that Maradona was the victim of their own decisions and circumstances. This trial not only seeks to clarify the circumstances of his deathbut also shed light on the responsibilities and obligations of health professionals in complex situations.

Maradona’s figure transcends football. His life and death reflect the complexities of idolatry, human fragility and the expectations that a society can deposit in its heroes. As the trial progresses, the world will observe how Argentina confronts these issues and look for answers about the departure of one of its greatest icons.

The trial for the death of Diego Maradona represents a crucial moment for Argentine justice and for all those who seek to understand the circumstances that led to the death of a legend. While the judicial process develops, Maradona’s memory is still alive in the hearts of millions, reminding us of the thin line between greatness and human vulnerability.