Diego Maradona’s daughter has spoken out against the upcoming case (Image: Getty / Bondi Live)
Diego Maradona’s daughter couldn’t hold back the tears as she pleaded for justice ahead of a trial investigating her father’s death. It’s set to get underway next month, following the Argentine football legend’s passing from a heart attack in 2020. The family of Maradona have alleged negligence by the medical professionals tasked with looking after him.
Speaking on the Angel Responde show on Bondi Live, Dalma Maradona said: “My mother is worried because she is afraid. Afraid of the mafia, of those who control everything, have money and power. But I don’t care.
Beloved in his home country, Argentina went into a three-day state of mourning following his death in November 2020. However, in 2023, it was revealed that eight doctors and nurses would go on trial after being accused of simple homicide with eventual intent.
The eight defendants are: neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, Nancy Forlini (a doctor who co-ordinated Maradona’s home care), Mariano Perroni (the co-ordinator of the nurses), nurse Ricardo Omar Almiron, nurse Dahiana Gisela Madrid and clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagna.
Speaking to , the lawyer of Cosachov said: “There could have been two causes: one natural and the other, a product of the ingestion of a toxic substance.”
Diego Maradona played and managed Argentina (Image: Getty)
Prosecutors in Argentina launched an investigation shortly after he passed, which included searches of his personal doctor’s property, as well as probing others who were involved in looking after the ex-footballer. An inquest from 2021 revealed that the medical team had operated in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner”.
“I know who I am up against, but I cannot remain silent. We need people to know the truth. My mother tells me all the time ‘shut up, don’t say anything, I’m scared’, but I can’t. I owe it to him.”
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It also stated that Maradona would’ve had a “better chance of survival” if he’d received “adequate medical care”. The former Boca Juniors star’s official cause of death was put down to “acute pulmonary edema secondary to exacerbated chronic heart failure”.
Maradona is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having guided Argentina to the 1986 World Cup. He played over 490 matches in his career, winning titles at Boca Juniors, and Napoli throughout his distinguished career.
The Argentine had battled drug and alcohol addictions throughout his life and underwent brain surgery just before his death in November 2020.