Diego Maradona's daughter Dalma accuses medical team of negligence, says her father's death was avoidable

NEW DELHI: Diego Maradona's daughter Dalma Maradona testified in court on Tuesday in San Isidro, Argentina, stating that her father's death in November 2020 could have been prevented if his medical team had provided proper care following his brain surgery. The seven-person medical team faces up to 25 years in prison for alleged negligence in the football legend's final days.
Maradona passed away at age 60 while recovering at home from surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. The cause of death was determined to be heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, a condition where fluid builds up in the lungs.

"If they had done their job, this would have been avoided," Dalma Maradona, 38, told the court. "They deceived us in the cruelest way."
The medical team, including physician Leopoldo Luque, is charged with "homicide with possible intent" for allegedly knowing their actions could lead to their patient's death.
Dalma testified that Dr. Luque had insisted home hospitalization was "the only option" and promised 24-hour care with an ambulance on standby.
"It never happened," she said. "It was a house where, occasionally, a doctor would come to see him."
She described finding the house in deplorable conditions after her father's death, stating it was "disgusting, and it smelled like urine."
Dalma also revealed she had attempted to visit her father days before his death but was denied entry by his lawyer and an assistant.
Prosecutors allege Maradona endured a "prolonged, agonizing period" before his death, having battled cocaine and alcohol addiction for decades.
The trial, which had faced delays, is expected to continue until July with nearly 120 witnesses scheduled to testify.
The defendants are accused of abandoning their patient and pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could result in his death.