Diego Maradona left for a 'prolonged, agonising period' before his death, medical panel concludes

Argentina's public prosecutor ordered expert inquiry into football legend's death at the age of 60

Late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona was buried at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery, in Buenos Aires province, on November 26, 2020. AFP

Relatives and friends carry the coffin of the late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona. AFP

Fans next to the hearse carrying the late Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires. AFP

Fans next to the hearse carrying the late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona on its way from Casa Rosada presidential palace to the cemetery, in Buenos Aires. AFP

Aerial view of the burial of late Diego Maradona at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery, in Buenos Aires. AFP

Diego Maradona was laid to rest at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery. AFP

Fans follow the funeral procession of Diego Maradona from the Plaza de Mayo to the cemetery in Buenos Aires. EPA

Fans follow the funeral procession carrying the remains of Diego Maradona. EPA

Fans observe the funeral procession of Diego Maradona. EPA

People react during a tribute to the late Argentine great Diego Maradona, outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace in Buenos Aires. Bloomberg

People stand in front of the Argentina flag in half-mast during a tribute to the late Argentine football star Diego Maradona, outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace in Buenos Aires. Bloomberg

A man cries as he carries his child on his shoulders next to police blocking access to the Jardin de Bellavista cemetery during the funeral of Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires. AP

Police officers try to contain the crowd as fans tried to climb over the fence to enter Casa Rosada during Diego Maradona's funeral. Getty

Fans try to climb over the fence to enter Casa Rosada during Diego Maradona's funeral. Getty

Police moved to cut off the back end of the crowd, enraging fans who hurled rocks and other objects at officers, who responded with rubber bullets. Reuters

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona received inadequate medical care and was left for a "prolonged, agonising period" before he died last year, an expert medical panel has concluded.

The medical board also maintained Maradona's medical team acted in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner".

Maradona's death in November last year rocked the South American nation where he was revered, prompting a period of mourning and angry finger pointing about who was to blame after the icon's years-long battle with addiction and ill health.

A panel of 20 experts was convened by Argentina's public prosecutor to examine the cause of death and to determine if there had been any negligence.

In a 70-page document, the panel stated that Maradona, who succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 60, "started to die at least 12 hours before" the moment he was found dead in his bed.

Maradona died just weeks after undergoing brain surgery on a blood clot.

Maradona's neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz are under investigation as well as two nurses, a nursing coordinator and a medical coordinator.

The finding could result in a case of wrongful death, and a prison sentence of up to 15 years if convicted.

The legal proceedings were prompted by a complaint filed by two of Maradona's five daughters against Luque, whom they blamed for their father's deteriorating condition after the brain operation.

Maradona underwent surgery on November 3, just four days after he celebrated his 60th birthday at the club he coached, Gimnasia y Esgrima.

However, he appeared in poor health then, and had trouble speaking.

Maradona had battled cocaine and alcohol addictions during his life. He was suffering from liver, kidney and cardiovascular disorders when he died.

Two of his daughters have accused Luque of responsibility in Maradona's deteriorating health.

The panel concluded that Maradona "would have had a better chance of survival" with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility.

He died in his bed in a rented house in an exclusive Buenos Aires neighbourhood, where he was receiving home care.

Maradona did not have "full use of his mental faculties" and should not have been left to decide where he would be treated, the experts said.

They also found that his treatment was rife with "deficiencies and irregularities" and the medical team had left his survival "to fate".

Sebastian Sanchi, a former spokesman for Maradona, told AFP, "it is clear that the panel says that things were not done right."

Maradona is an idol to millions of Argentines after he inspired the South American country to their second World Cup triumph in 1986.

An attacking midfielder who spent two years with Spanish giants Barcelona, he is also loved in Naples where he helped Napoli win the only two Serie A titles in the club's history.

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