SAN ISIDRO, ARGENTINA: A lawyer for Leopoldo Luque, a doctor charged in the 2020 death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, said in closing arguments on Wednesday that his client was innocent and had been made a "scapegoat." Attorney Roberto Rallin rejected the prosecution's argument that Maradona's November 2020 death was foreseeable, while another defence attorney, Francisco Oneto, maintained that his death resulted from an "acute and unpredictable" heart attack.
"There was absolutely no possibility of predicting this fatal outcome," Oneto insisted. Prosecutors have requested a 12-year prison sentence for Luque, a neurosurgeon considered a key decision-maker for Maradona at the time of his death.
"We are here to proclaim Luque's innocence, not with television slogans, but with the evidence that supports it," Rallin said. "Leopoldo Luque has been the scapegoat."
Maradona died at age 60 from a cardiorespiratory crisis coupled with pulmonary edema. He was found dead in his bed at a residence in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, rented for his convalescence, following surgery for a subdural hematoma.
The death of Argentina's favourite son plunged the country into mourning in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tens of thousands of people defied social distancing rules to bid farewell to him as he lay in state at the presidential palace.
A total of seven health-care professionals have been on trial since April for potential negligence leading to the star's death during his two weeks of convalescence. Prosecutors have requested sentences ranging from 4 to 12 years for six of the seven defendants.
The legal proceedings have been closely watched by millions of fans worldwide who continue to revere the 1986 World Cup winner. The defense team argues that the medical team provided the best possible care under the circumstances, and that the sudden cardiac event was beyond the control of any physician present at the scene.
As the trial nears its conclusion, the court is tasked with determining whether the medical team's actions constituted criminal negligence or if the tragic event was an unavoidable medical complication. The verdict is expected to set a significant precedent for medical accountability in high-profile cases across Argentina.
The defense has consistently highlighted that Maradona's complex health history, including long-term struggles with substance abuse, made his condition inherently volatile. They argue that blaming the medical staff ignores the broader context of the football icon's lifestyle and physical deterioration.
Meanwhile, the prosecution maintains that the medical team failed to provide the necessary monitoring and emergency protocols required for a patient of Maradona's profile. They argue that the lack of proper oversight directly contributed to the delay in life-saving intervention.
The courtroom in San Isidro remains a focal point for the global football community, as the final arguments draw to a close. Supporters of the late legend continue to gather outside the courthouse, demanding justice for the man who brought immense glory to the nation.
The judge is expected to deliberate on the evidence presented over the past several months before delivering a final ruling. The outcome will likely be appealed by either side, ensuring that the legal battle surrounding Diego Maradona's final days will continue for some time.