The new trial on the death of Maradona has begun » Serious medical errors, the accused risk up to 25 years in prison
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 7:11 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 7:11 p.m.
Five and a half years after the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona, a new trial began in Argentina this week. The prosecutor's office accused seven doctors and nurses of manslaughter of the former Argentine footballer.
The trial was resumed after it was declared null and void in May 2025 due to the suspension of the judge for bias related to her involvement in an unauthorized documentary about the case.
The new trial into Maradona's death began on Tuesday, April 14, and is expected to last for months. Two hearings are scheduled a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, and nearly 100 witnesses are expected to testify, including family members, relatives, medical staff and police officers, according to sport.aktuality.sk.
Maradona's death trial, resumed
Among the accused are Maradona's personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, and his psychiatrist, Agustina Cosachovová. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted, but all deny the charges. Judges Alberto Gaig, Alberto Ortolani and Pablo Rolon are expected to deliver their verdict in early June.
The 1986 world champion died in November 2020, aged 60, in a private residential complex of cardiac arrest while recovering from surgery. He had undergone brain surgery a few weeks earlier, and according to investigators, there were serious errors in his care at home. Seven accused are facing charges of manslaughter.
The prosecution alleges that they were aware that their negligent actions posed a risk but failed to prevent it. A panel of medical experts, asked by prosecutors to review the procedure of Maradona's medical team, said, according to the BBC, that the treatment he received at home was “inadequate and negligent”.
The conclusion was that the footballer “would have had a better chance of survival” if he had received proper treatment in an appropriate medical facility.
Defense lawyers say the former captain of Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team suffered from multiple serious health problems and that no crime was committed. Maradona had a series of medical complications, some as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.
There is hope from the new trial
Fernando Burlando, the lawyer for Maradona's two older daughters, Dalma and Giannina, who are injured parties in the case, said before Tuesday's hearing that he had confidence in the new panel.
“We have a lot of confidence in them. They are judges with a lot of experience,” Burlando said, according to the AP agency. He added that Maradona's daughters are very exhausted.
“It is very difficult. They are Maradona's daughters and that in itself is not easy. In addition, they do not have a moment of peace to find out what happened to their father, although we are convinced of what happened.” he added.
