Diego Maradona Death Trial Sees Family Demand Up to 16-Year Prison Sentences

The long-running trial into the death of football icon Diego Maradona has entered its final, contentious phase, with his family publicly split over the punishment they want for his medical team. Lawyers for his youngest son have demanded the harshest sentences yet, calling for 16-year prison terms for two key doctors as closing arguments concluded this week.

Family rift emerges over punishment

While united in grief, Maradona's family is not united in their demands for justice. The most significant division centers on the fate of psychologist Carlos Díaz. Lawyers representing the legend's three sisters, Rita, Claudia, and Ana, have asked for his acquittal. This request surprised Maradona's daughters Dalma and Gianinna, who were present in the San Isidro court. Their lawyer, Fernando Burlando, labeled the care Maradona received as "imprisonment disguised as medical attention" and accused the defendants of "brutal indifference." The family's differing positions highlight the complex legal and emotional landscape of the case as it moves toward a verdict.

Youngest son's lawyer seeks maximum penalty

The strongest call for punishment came from Mario Baudry, the legal representative for Maradona's 13-year-old son, Diego Fernando. During a hearing on October 13, Baudry argued for sentences exceeding those requested by state prosecutors. He specifically demanded 16 years for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque and medical coordinator Nancy Forlini. Baudry told the court that Luque "knew exactly what was coming and tried to shift the blame" and that he knew Maradona "was going to die with the treatment they were giving him." He also called for the immediate arrest of the four main defendants if they are convicted, a measure prosecutors did not request.

Prosecution lays out its case for guilt

State prosecutors, who began closing arguments last week, are seeking guilty findings against six of the seven medical professionals on trial. They have asked for prison sentences ranging from four to 12 years. The prosecution argues that Maradona's medical team provided grossly inadequate care in the lead-up to his death on November 25, 2020. The 60-year-old World Cup winner died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema while convalescing at a rented home in Tigre after brain surgery. All seven defendants deny the charges of wrongful death.

A comparison of sentencing requests

The table below shows the differing prison term requests from the prosecution and the lawyers for Maradona's youngest son for the key defendants.

Closing arguments are set to conclude on October 22, after which the judges will retire to deliberate. The world awaits their decision on who, if anyone, is criminally responsible for the loss of a sporting legend.

• Key Takeaways
• The trial into Diego Maradona's 2020 death is nearing its conclusion, with verdicts expected after October 22.
• Maradona's family is divided, particularly over whether psychologist Carlos Díaz should be convicted.
• Lawyers for his youngest son have requested the toughest penalties, seeking up to 16-year sentences for two doctors.
• Seven medical professionals are accused of providing grossly inadequate care, which they deny.