A medical report on soccer legend Maradona's death aims to undercut homicide case against medics
medical examiner's report into the death of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona injected uncertainty Monday into the criminal negligence case brought against eight medical workers involved in his case a month before they are set to stand trial for homicide.
A forensic expert conducted the study at the behest of one of the main defendants, Maradona's neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, in an effort to challenge the 2021 medical examination that held Luque and other doctors responsible for what it described as the soccer star's otherwise avoidable death. The defendants have denied any violations or irregularities in Maradona's treatment.
Maradona, famous for leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup and back to the final four years later, died from a heart attack in 2020 while recovering from brain surgery.
His death at age 60 stunned and devastated a generation of soccer fans and sent all of Argentina into mourning. Within days, the country became consumed by questions about his final, perplexing hours, a frenzy of suspicion that intensified as police officers raided his doctors' homes and offices and Maradona's family pressed the judiciary to intervene.
Prosecutors ultimately charged the eight medical workers with homicide — a serious accusation that leaves open the possibility of presumed intent and carries possible prison sentences from eight to 25 years. The trial is set to start June 4.
Medical examiner Pablo Ferrari's report, released Monday, concluded that Maradona's rapid, erratic heartbeat was
