Argentine prosecutors have sought prison sentences of up to 12 years for the medical team that treated football legend Diego Maradona before his death.

Seven medical professionals have been on trial since April over Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020. Prosecutors accuse them of providing inadequate care during his recovery from brain surgery. The defendants deny the charges.

Maradona died at the age of 60 from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema. The condition causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs. He was recovering at a rented home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, two weeks after surgery for a blood clot in his brain.

Prosecutors Accuse Medical Team of Negligence

During closing arguments on Thursday, prosecutor Patricio Ferrai criticised the medical team’s handling of Maradona’s care.

Ferrai described their organisation as “chaotic” and said it left the former footballer in a helpless situation. He accused the defendants of failing to fulfil their medical responsibilities.

The seven defendants include Maradona’s personal physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurses and medical coordinators. They face charges under Argentina’s legal concept of dolo eventual.

The term refers to cases in which a person recognises the possibility of a harmful outcome but proceeds regardless.

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Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year prison sentence for Maradona’s personal physician, Leopoldo Luque. They have requested sentences ranging from four to 10 years for other members of the medical team.

The defendants maintain that Maradona’s death could not have been foreseen. They also argue that they performed their duties and have disputed their individual responsibility for his care.

Lack of Medical Equipment Raises Questions

The case has focused on the decision to allow Maradona to recover at a private residence rather than in a hospital.

Prosecutors have highlighted the reported absence of essential medical equipment. These included a hospital bed, a defibrillator and an ambulance that could respond quickly.

Medical experts who testified during the trial said Maradona showed several warning signs before his death. These reportedly included edema, an elevated heart rate and breathing difficulties.

Assistant prosecutor Cosme Iribarren said the fatal outcome had shown warning signs well before Maradona died.

The prosecution also presented graphic photographs of Maradona’s body in court. His three daughters, who attended Thursday’s hearing, covered their faces to avoid seeing the images.

Verdict Expected After Closing Arguments

The prosecution’s closing arguments are expected to continue for around two weeks. The court will deliver its verdict at a later date.

The current proceedings follow the collapse of an earlier trial last year. That trial was annulled after two-and-a-half months of hearings.

The decision followed revelations that one of the judges had participated in a secret documentary about the case.

Maradona remains one of football’s most celebrated figures. He captained Argentina to victory at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and became an international sporting icon.

The trial seeks to determine whether members of his medical team bear criminal responsibility for the circumstances surrounding his death.