The circumstances revolving around the death of footballing legend Diego Maradona keep getting murkier. Now, seven of the doctors who treated him are facing charges of premeditated murder.
AFP has learned from a source that the seven people who were tasked with the care of the Argentine are now facing charges of premeditated murder. Those accused could face from 8 up to 25 years in jail if found guilty.
The latest development in the Maradona case comes as a direct result of an investigation by a board of experts, who found that the icon received inadequate care leading up to his death. The investigations were a result of Maradona’s daughters filing a complaint against his neurosurgeon, Dr Leopoldo Luque.
Luque, along with six others, are at the centre of the investigation and are forbidden from leaving the country. They must now appear for an inquiry between May 31 and June 14.
The prosecutors handling the case are not accusing the seven indicted of any malpractices. However, they claim that the doctors knew of his worsening condition, including his regular use of alcohol, drugs, and psychiatric medication, but they were negligent about it.
Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, in his residence in Dique Lujan, Argentina. The footballing icon was mourned for days across the globe by his fans, as well as the wider sporting fraternity.
The Argentine former footballer was best known for his role in leading his nation to their World Cup win in 1986, during which he scored one of the goals of the century. On a club level, Maradona won some minor trophies in Spain with Barcelona.
His golden years were spent in Naples, where he led the local team Napoli to two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990. He won two domestic and one European Cup with the Neapolitan side, leaving behind a legacy to last for centuries. Napoli honoured him upon his death by renaming their stadium Estadio Diego Maradona.
