Maradona’s doctor was made scapegoat for his death – Lawyer

A lawyer representing Leopoldo Luque, the neurosurgeon charged over the 2020 death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, has told a court that his client was being made a “scapegoat”, insisting that he was innocent of the allegations against him.

Defence attorney Roberto Rallin made the declaration during closing arguments on Wednesday, rejecting the prosecution’s position that Maradona’s death was foreseeable and could have been prevented.

Another lawyer representing Luque, Francisco Oneto, argued that the football icon died from an “acute and unpredictable” heart attack, insisting that there was no way his client could have anticipated the fatal outcome.

“There was absolutely no possibility of predicting this fatal outcome,” Oneto said.

Prosecutors have requested a 12-year prison sentence for Luque, who was considered one of the key medical decision-makers responsible for Maradona’s care before 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 the age of 60 from a cardiorespiratory crisis accompanied by pulmonary oedema while recovering from surgery for a subdural haematoma.

The former Argentina captain was found dead in his bed at a rented residence in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, where he had been staying during his convalescence.

His death plunged Argentina into mourning, with tens of thousands of people defying COVID-19 social distancing restrictions to pay their final respects as his body lay in state at the presidential palace.

Defence challenges medical findings

Seven healthcare professionals have been standing trial since April over allegations of negligence linked to Maradona’s death during his two weeks of recovery at home.

Prosecutors have sought prison sentences ranging from four to 12 years for six of the seven defendants, accusing members of the medical team of failing to provide adequate care despite warning signs about the footballer’s condition.

During its closing arguments, the prosecution accused Luque of inaction, alleging that he repeatedly failed to take appropriate steps despite indications that Maradona’s health was deteriorating.

Luque’s defence team, however, challenged the conclusions of an interdisciplinary medical commission established by the court in 2021 to examine the circumstances surrounding the death.

The commission, which based its findings on the autopsy and other evidence, concluded that Maradona had a history of heart problems that should have been considered when determining his care.

The prosecution relied on the findings to argue that the medical team should have recognised the risks and taken appropriate preventive measures.

Oneto disputed that conclusion, arguing that clinical tests conducted before Maradona underwent surgery shortly before his death had not revealed any heart problems.

“It’s so clear that Maradona didn’t have any heart problems in 2020,” he said during the closing arguments.

Luque defends relationship with Maradona

Throughout the trial, Luque has been one of the most vocal defendants, repeatedly responding to allegations that he was responsible for failures in Maradona’s medical care.

His legal team presented audio recordings, scientific publications and a video of the footballer’s autopsy in an effort to challenge the prosecution’s case, prompting objections from Maradona’s daughters.

Luque maintained that his close relationship with the football legend had made him an easy target for accusations.

“It’s easy to attack me because I’m the one who had the most contact with Maradona,” he said in court.

He also defended his personal relationship with the former Napoli and Barcelona star, describing him as both an idol and a friend.

“I cared deeply for him, I loved him, he was my idol and my friend,” Luque said.

Other defendants face prison terms

Meanwhile, defence attorney Nicolas D’Albora, who represents medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, attributed responsibility for Maradona’s death to Luque and another doctor.

D’Albora argued that the doctors were responsible for ensuring the patient’s health and that their decisions played a significant role in the circumstances leading to his death.

Forlini faces a potential 10-year prison sentence over allegations of homicide with eventual intent, including claims that she failed to provide basic medical equipment required for Maradona’s home care.

The defence teams’ closing arguments are expected to continue until Thursday, after which the proceedings will move closer to a resolution.

The case has attracted international attention because of Maradona’s global sporting legacy and the questions it has raised about the standard of medical care provided during his final days.

Maradona, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, captained Argentina to victory at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and remained one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures until his death.

The court is considering whether the medical professionals involved in his care failed to meet their responsibilities and whether any such failures contributed to the circumstances surrounding his death. The defendants’ guilt or innocence remains a matter for the court to determine.

AFP