Seven medical professionals have been charged with simple homicide with eventual intent in the death of Argentinian soccer legend, Diego Maradona.
According to ESPN’s Adriana Garcia, among those who have been charged are Leopoldo Luque and Agustina Cosachov. Luque is a neurosurgeon who performed successful brain surgery on Maradona two weeks before his death, and Cosachov is a psychiatrist who treated Maradona.
Two nurses, a nurse coordinator, a doctor and a psychologist have also been charged in the case.
Maradona died in November at the age of 60 because of a buildup of fluid in his lungs brought on by heart failure.
Luque and Cosachov have denied any wrongdoing, although a medical board appointed by the prosecutors determined the medical team treating Maradona acted in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner.”
Per Garcia, audio of private conversations between some of the team were leaked to the media, and they reportedly suggest that Maradona wasn’t being properly cared for.
If any or all of the workers are found guilty, they could be sentenced to between eight and 25 years in prison.
Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, as he starred internationally for Argentina and is best known for playing for Italian side Napoli in club competition.
Nicknamed El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Boy), Maradona scored 310 club goals and 34 goals in 91 appearances for the Argentine national team.
Maradona led Argentina to winning the 1986 FIFA World Cup/ He also won two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup at Napoli, as well as one Copa del Rey and one Copa de la Liga title while playing for Barcelona.
Garcia reported that prosecutors have asked a judge to prevent those charged in the death of Maradona from leaving Argentina. Testimony in the case will begin May 31.
