By Gill Bikram Singh 
Seven Medical Professionals Accused Over Football Legend’s Death
The trial of seven medical professionals accused of criminal negligence in the death of Argentinian football icon Diego Maradona has begun. The defendants, including doctors and nurses, face charges of “homicide with possible intent” and could receive sentences ranging from eight to 25 years in prison.
Maradona’s Final Days and Controversy Over His Care
Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at age 60 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot. He had a history of health struggles, including addiction to cocaine and alcohol. The football legend died of a heart attack at a rented house in Buenos Aires, where he was receiving home care after being discharged from the hospital.
A medical panel convened in 2021 determined that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” if he had been treated in a proper medical facility. Prosecutors argue that the medical team’s decision to push for home care was reckless and inadequate, leaving Maradona without the necessary treatment. The house lacked essential medical equipment, including a defibrillator.
Trial and Evidence Against the Medical Team
The trial, expected to last until July, will feature testimony from over 100 witnesses, including Maradona’s family and past doctors. Prosecutors claim the medical staff neglected Maradona for a prolonged period before his death and suggest they prioritized financial interests over his health. Leaked messages reportedly indicate that doctors aimed to prevent Maradona’s daughters from intervening, fearing they would lose their income.
Defense and Public Reaction
All seven defendants deny responsibility. A lawyer for Maradona’s psychiatrist, one of the accused, argued that his client was responsible only for the footballer’s mental health, not his physical condition.
As the trial unfolds, calls for justice are growing. Graffiti in Buenos Aires demands accountability, while locals insist that Maradona, a national hero, did not deserve to die in such conditions. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, with many questioning whether anyone will ultimately be held accountable for his death.