Trial over Maradona's death: several defendants blame each other

Several of the defendants in the trial concerning the death of Diego Maradona blamed each other on Tuesday regarding the medical attention given to the Argentine star during the convalescence that proved fatal.

Seven healthcare professionals (doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurses) have been on trial since April in San Isidro, near Buenos Aires, for potential negligence during the convalescence of the former football player, who was hospitalized at home.

Maradona was recovering from minor neurosurgery in a house in Tigre, in the province of Buenos Aires, when he died of cardiorespiratory arrest and pulmonary edema in 2020, at the age of 60.

"How could I omit something that I wasn't asked for?", defended medical coordinator Nancy Forlini on Tuesday.

Accused of not providing the necessary equipment and personnel, she pointed the finger at neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, who are also being prosecuted in this case.

She stated that "all decisions went through them (...), they had all the power."

Dr. Luque, for his part, shifted the blame to Ms. Forlini. "I was providing neurosurgery follow-up (...) I was not the attending physician," he insisted.

Pedro Di Spagna, in turn, denied being the responsible clinician and asserted that he had not been able to access the patient during his last two visits.

"I was frustrated that I couldn't do my job, but I was told to leave," he testified.

The accused, although employing different strategies, all proclaim their innocence. They face up to 25 years in prison.

Their trial has entered its final stretch: closing arguments will begin on October 8 and will take place over six hearings, until October 22.