Argentina

Argentina: Maradona's Medical Team Charged With Homicide

JUL 28 2022·Updated DEC 22 2022

Story

Image credit: AFP/Getty Images [via The Guardian]

The Facts

An Argentinian court ruled on Wed. that the eight medical staff responsible for treating soccer legend Diego Maradona will face a homicide trial for failing to take "action that could have prevented his death."
Al Jazeera
The defendants comprise of Maradona's neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, two other doctors, two nurses and their boss.
Al Jazeera
If found guilty, they will face sentences ranging from eight to 25 years. A date for the trial is yet to be scheduled but it may be delayed if this decision is appealed.
Buenos Aires Times
Reports indicate that the judge probed their behavior and found it warranted further investigation, while a medical panel concluded Maradona hadn't received "adequate medical care," causing him to spend at least 12 hours in agony and eventually pass away.
Daily Mail
The news comes after his family pressured officials for an investigation of the staff, despite the autopsy indicating his death on Nov., 25, 2020 was down to natural causes following brain surgery to remove a blood clot.
USA Today
The ruling was issued on the 36th anniversary of Maradona's most celebrated performance, a 1986 World Cup quarter-final match against England in which he scored the infamous goals - the "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" - leading the national team to win its second title.
France 24

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The medical staff have been used as scapegoats for Maradona's death even though they advised the soccer legend he should have remained in hospital rather than be treated at home. It was well known Diego had problems with drugs and alcohol - he was a difficult person to control and a danger to himself.

The Irish Sun

Narrative B

Maradona could have been saved if the medical team hadn't backed the decision to remove him from hospital. Aggravating their responsibilities, members of the team falsified documents to protect themselves from being held accountable, but this investigation will show that Maradona's death was the result of criminal negligence.