Politics · World News Bureau
Argentine court hears arguments in Maradona doctor trial
Prosecutors have sought a 12-year prison sentence for Leopoldo Luque, the personal physician of late football legend Diego Maradona, in a trial involving seven healthcare professionals. Defense lawyers have argued their client is being used as a scapegoat for circumstances beyond his control.
LSN World News ·
An Argentine court heard closing arguments Tuesday in the high-profile case against medical professionals accused of contributing to Diego Maradona's death in November 2020. The trial centers on whether negligence by Luque and six other healthcare workers led to the football icon's fatal heart attack at age 60.
Prosecutors called for a 12-year prison sentence against Luque, Maradona's personal doctor, arguing he failed to provide adequate care during the player's final months. The charges allege gross negligence and abandonment of a patient, as Maradona was under medical supervision while recovering from brain surgery and battling addiction issues.
Defense attorneys countered that Luque is being wrongfully blamed for Maradona's death, claiming he served as a convenient scapegoat for systemic failures beyond any single physician's responsibility. They pointed to Maradona's complex medical history and noted the challenges inherent in treating a patient with his conditions and lifestyle.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict in coming weeks. The trial has drawn intense scrutiny in Argentina, where Maradona remains a national hero revered for leading the country to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. His death prompted widespread calls for investigation into the circumstances surrounding his final days and the quality of care he received.