Football player Maradona’s former healthcare team on trial in Argentina for negligence

Seven healthcare professionals working alongside football player Diego Maradona when he died at age 60 in 2020 have been brought to trial in Argentina for negligence.

The court which started on Tuesday will judge whether those charged, including a psychiatrist, a neurosurgeon and several medical staffers are guilty of manslaughter, facing a sentence up to 25 years.

Maradona’s family present in the courtroom included his daughters, Dalma, Giannina and Jana and his former partner Verónica Ojeda hoping for justice as she appeared wearing a T-shirt with the face of the 1986 World Cup winner and the word “justice”.

Weeks before Maradona died neurosurgeon Leonardo Luque performed surgery to remove a blood clot from the former footballer’s brain and was his physician for the last four years of his life.

Six additional professionals will stand trial: psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, who prescribed the medication Maradona took until his death; psychologist Carlos Díaz; Nancy Forlini, the coordinator of the medical company overseeing Maradona’s deva during his hospitalisation; Mariano Perroni, a representative of the nursing service provider; Dr. Pedro Di Spagna, who monitored his treatment; and nurse Ricardo Almirón.

Meanwhile, nurse Gisela Madrid, who was also indicted, will face a jury trial later this year.