Maradona’s death: Prosecution requests 12-year sentence for lead medical advisor

Patricio Ferrari and Cosme Iribarren, the prosecutors in the case over the death of Argentine football superstar Diego Maradona, requested on Thursday a 12-year prison sentence for the star’s former lead medical advisor, Leopoldo Luque. 

The prosecution also requested an 8-year prison sentence for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, and a 10-year ban from practicing medicine for both.

Ferrari and Iribarren gave their closing arguments, accusing all seven defendants of simple homicide with eventual intent, after failing to administer proper medical care to Maradona.

For the other accused, the prosecution requested 10 years in prison for medical care coordinator Nancy Forlini, five years in prison for Maradona’s psychologist Carlos Díaz, and four years in prison for medical care coordinator Mariano Perroni and nurse Ricardo Almirón, with medical practice bans of the same duration.

The prosecutors also requested the acquittal and the dropping of charges against clinical physician Pedro Di Spagna, who oversaw Maradona’s home hospitalization but was only allowed to perform a checkup once.

‘A situation of helplessness’ Ferrari took aim at the defendants in his argument, branding them “a group of improvisers who forgot at all times that they were caring for a complex patient.”

During his presentation, he showed hundreds of messages exchanged among the specialists and with Maradona’s family in the days leading up to his passing, all of whom agreed that the former footballer “was swollen.” 

“They tried to make us believe that Maradona died suddenly,” said Ferrari, insisting the accused went out of their way “to do nothing” as the star’s condition worsened, placing him “in a situation of helplessness and left to luck.”

Maradona’s former partner Verónica Ojeda, his daughters Dalma, Gianinna, and Jana Maradona, and former wife Claudia Villafañe witnessed the hearing.

“We want justice, and we are going to get it. There are a lot of mixed feelings, as always, but I believe in the judges,” said Ojeda ahead of the proceedings. “I’m hoping for harsh sentences. It has been two arduous, tough, and painful years, which is why we want everything to end.”

What comes next? The closing arguments will continue next Tuesday, with presentations from lawyer Mario Baudry, representing Diego Fernando — Maradona’s youngest son — and Félix Linfante, Jana Maradona’s legal representative.

Wednesday will be the turn of Fernando Burlando, representing Gianinna and Dalma Maradona, and Pablo Jurado, representing the former star’s sisters. 

The defense will have their turn on October 20, 21, and 22, before the court retires to deliberate.

This is the second trial over Maradona’s death, after the first court case was declared a mistrial in May 2025.

Maradona died from acute pulmonary edema in 2020. The trial centers on the circumstances of his death and the medical care he received from his doctors and nurses after the medical board determined those responsible for his care had failed to provide proper medical treatment.