Medical Staff, Which Treated Diego Maradona Before His Death, On Trial For Homicide

Seven medical staff who treated Argentine football legend Diego Maradona in the days before his death went on trial Tuesday accused of homicide. Maradona died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, while recovering at home from brain surgery for a blood clot, after decades battling cocaine and alcohol addictions. The defendants risk prison terms between eight and 25 years if convicted on the charge of "homicide with possible intent" -- allegedly for pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to the former footballer's death. Outside the court, dozens of fans of the footballer gathered Tuesday, waving banners calling for "justice" and singing songs in honor of the fallen star.

"Thank you all for coming," Veronica Ojeda, Maradona's former partner and mother of one of his sons, 12-year-old Dieguito, told the crowd as she fought back tears. Maradona's older daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, entered the building without saying anything to the press or supporters.

In an opening statement Tuesday, the prosecution said it intends to submit "solid" evidence that no member of the team "did what they were supposed to do" in the "horror theater" that was Maradona's deathbed.

"That's how Maradona died," prosecutor Patricio Ferrari told the court, holding up a photo of Maradona shortly after his death, lying on his back in bed with a swollen abdomen.

'Totally deficient'

Maradona was found dead two weeks after going under the knife, in a rented house in an exclusive Buenos Aires neighborhood where he was brought after being discharged from hospital.

He was found to have died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs.

The passing of the star of the 1986 World Cup plunged Argentina