A retrial into the death of the football great Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 after suffering heart failure, starts on Tuesday. The first trial in May 2025 collapsed after one of the three judges on the case allegedly allowed unauthorized filming in court for a documentary. Maradona's medical team are accused of failing to administer proper medical care, and seven people will be tried for homicide with possible intent. They deny the allegations. If convicted, they face between eight and 25 years in prison.
The football legend had been recovering at his home in Tigre, in Buenos Aires province, after successful surgery on a brain blood clot earlier that month. Investigators classified the case as culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter, because they said the accused were aware of the seriousness of Maradona's health condition but did not take the necessary measures to save him. The heart failure caused him to suffer acute pulmonary oedema, confirmed by the preliminary autopsy.
A panel of medical experts called by prosecutors stated that the treatment Maradona received at his home was 'deficient and reckless,' noting that the footballer 'would have had a better chance of survival' with adequate treatment in a medical facility. The seven people on trial include his main medical adviser, Leopoldo Luque, and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov. Around 100 people are set to testify in front of a new set of judges at a court in San Isidro, including Maradona's daughters. The trial is expected to last until July.
When the footballer died on November 25, 2020, then-President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning, expressing that 'Thank you for having existed, Diego. We're going to miss you all our lives.' Maradona, celebrated as one of the sport's most gifted players, had an illustrious career that included four World Cup appearances and iconic moments, such as the 'Hand of God' goal. His legacy is marred by personal struggles, including issues with addiction and health complications before his untimely death.
The football legend had been recovering at his home in Tigre, in Buenos Aires province, after successful surgery on a brain blood clot earlier that month. Investigators classified the case as culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter, because they said the accused were aware of the seriousness of Maradona's health condition but did not take the necessary measures to save him. The heart failure caused him to suffer acute pulmonary oedema, confirmed by the preliminary autopsy.
A panel of medical experts called by prosecutors stated that the treatment Maradona received at his home was 'deficient and reckless,' noting that the footballer 'would have had a better chance of survival' with adequate treatment in a medical facility. The seven people on trial include his main medical adviser, Leopoldo Luque, and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov. Around 100 people are set to testify in front of a new set of judges at a court in San Isidro, including Maradona's daughters. The trial is expected to last until July.
When the footballer died on November 25, 2020, then-President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning, expressing that 'Thank you for having existed, Diego. We're going to miss you all our lives.' Maradona, celebrated as one of the sport's most gifted players, had an illustrious career that included four World Cup appearances and iconic moments, such as the 'Hand of God' goal. His legacy is marred by personal struggles, including issues with addiction and health complications before his untimely death.
