Maradona Doctors Face 12 Years in Prison

Argentine prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of up to 12 years for seven medical professionals accused in the death of football icon Diego Maradona. The trial, which began in April 2026, focuses on the alleged gross negligence of Maradona's care team. Prosecutors argued that the team's "chaotic organization" left the ailing star "in a helpless situation."

Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema while recovering from brain surgery at a rented home. The prosecution contends that the team, including his personal physician, psychiatrist, and nurses, breached their duties and omitted necessary actions.

The defense argues that Maradona's death was unforeseeable and that they performed their jobs adequately. Key to the case is the decision to allow Maradona to convalesce at home rather than a hospital, with prosecutors highlighting the lack of essential medical equipment on-site as evidence of dereliction of duty.

Experts testified that Maradona's carers failed to react to critical warning signs such as edema and difficulty breathing. Assistant prosecutor Cosme Iribarren stated that "the signs of this fatal outcome began to appear long beforehand." The summation is expected to last two weeks, with a verdict to follow.