Breaking: A new criminal trial has opened in San Isidro against seven members of Diego Maradona’s medical team, accused of manslaughter over the 2020 death of the Argentina legend. Prosecutors allege failures in at-home post-surgery care after a recent brain operation; defendants deny wrongdoing. The proceedings — expected to run for months with about 90 witnesses — follow a previous trial annulled last year.
Maradona medical team faces manslaughter trial in San Isidro
A second trial has begun against seven members of Diego Maradona’s medical entourage, accused of manslaughter in the death of Argentina’s most famous footballer. The defendants include personal physician Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov alongside a psychologist, another doctor, the medical coordinator of Maradona’s health insurer and two carers. All reject the charges.
Charges, potential penalties and courtroom schedule
Prosecutors say errors in the at-home care provided after Maradona’s brain surgery contributed to the fatal heart attack on November 25, 2020. If convicted, defendants could face prison terms of up to 25 years. The court has scheduled hearings twice a week and plans to hear roughly 90 witnesses, a process expected to last several months.
Separate proceedings and prior trial annulment
One other nurse faces a separate trial. This new trial follows the annulment of an earlier proceeding that collapsed after 21 days when a judge on the three-member panel was suspended due to involvement in an unauthorized documentary about the case. That procedural turmoil forced prosecutors to restart the case.
What happened to Maradona: timeline and medical context
Diego Maradona, the 1986 World Cup winner and Argentine icon, died aged 60 at his private residence. He suffered a heart attack weeks after undergoing brain surgery. Investigators have focused not only on clinical decisions around the surgery but on the quality and coordination of the subsequent at-home care that followed.
Key names to watch
Leopoldo Luque — Maradona’s personal doctor — has been a central figure throughout investigations. Agustina Cosachov, the psychiatrist, and other mental-health professionals are also under scrutiny, reflecting prosecutors’ view that medical oversight extended beyond surgical matters into comprehensive post-operative management.
Why this trial matters for football and medical accountability
This case is more than a high-profile courtroom drama; it probes how elite athletes are cared for after serious procedures. For clubs, medical teams and national systems, the trial will spotlight standards for post-operative monitoring, responsibility among multidisciplinary teams, and the risks of at-home care for complex patients. For Argentine football, the proceedings risk extending an already painful public debate over Maradona’s final months and who, if anyone, should be held accountable.
Legal and reputational stakes
Convictions would carry heavy prison terms and could reshape accountability norms for sports medicine across Latin America. Even absent convictions, the trial exposes reputational damage for clinicians tied to one of the sport’s greatest figures, and it may prompt clinics and clubs to tighten protocols for discharge and home-care supervision.
What to watch next
Expect a slow, meticulous legal process: the court’s plan for two hearing days per week and about 90 witnesses suggests evidence-heavy hearings rather than headline-grabbing courtroom theatrics. Watch for testimony clarifying the coordination between hospital teams and carers, medical records covering the post-surgery period, and expert analysis on whether care fell below accepted standards.
Possible outcomes and implications
A conviction would be historic for sports medicine accountability. An acquittal or procedural dismissal would likely raise fresh questions about investigative rigor and media influence on high-profile cases. Either outcome will influence public trust and could force institutions to reassess how they protect vulnerable retired athletes.
Bottom line
The San Isidro trial is a pivotal moment in the long shadow of Maradona’s death: a legal reckoning that will test Argentina’s justice system, medical ethics in elite sport and the limits of responsibility when legendary athletes receive care beyond hospital walls.
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A second trial involving the medical team of Argentina football great Diego Maradona began on Tuesday, five and a half years after his death. Seven doctors and carers appeared in court in San Isidro north of Buenos Aires.
