Maradona death trial: verdict set for December 22, doctor faces 12 years
Hearings in the trial over Diego Maradona's 2020 death have closed in San Isidro, and judges will rule on December 22 on six health workers, led by doctor Leopoldo Luque.
At a glance
- A court in San Isidro, near Buenos Aires, will deliver its verdict on December 22, 2026, in the trial over the death of football great Diego Maradona.
- Hearings closed on Thursday, October 22, after six months and more than 70 witnesses.
- Prosecutors want 12 years in prison for Maradona's personal doctor, neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, and four to 10 years for five other health workers.
- The defendants are charged with homicide with possible intent; all deny wrongdoing, and Luque told the court: 'I am innocent.'
- A seventh defendant, clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagna, was acquitted after prosecutors dropped the charges.
Judges in Argentina will deliver their verdict on December 22, 2026, in the trial of six health workers accused over the death of football legend Diego Maradona, after hearings closed on Thursday, October 22. Prosecutors are seeking 12 years in prison for Maradona's personal doctor, neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, who told the court he is innocent.
What happened in court
The case is being heard by Oral Court No. 7 in San Isidro, just outside Buenos Aires, with three judges. The trial began in April and heard more than 70 witnesses over six months. In their final words to the court this week, the defendants again rejected the charges.
"I am innocent, I defended my innocence throughout every hearing and I say it again today," Luque said. Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov said she did everything she could to help Maradona, and nurse Ricardo Almirón said his conscience was clear because he had done his job.
The judges said they will read their verdict at noon local time on December 22.
The defendants and what prosecutors want
The six remaining defendants are charged with homicide with possible intent — meaning prosecutors say they knew their actions could lead to his death and accepted that risk.
| Defendant | Role | Prosecutors' request |
|---|---|---|
| Leopoldo Luque | Neurosurgeon, personal doctor | 12 years + 10-year medical ban |
| Nancy Forlini | Home-care coordinator | 10 years + 10-year ban |
| Agustina Cosachov | Psychiatrist | 8 years + 10-year ban |
| Carlos Díaz | Psychologist | 5 years + 10-year ban |
| Mariano Perroni | Head of nursing | 4 years + 8-year ban |
| Ricardo Almirón | Nurse | 4 years + 8-year ban |
| Pedro Di Spagna | Clinical doctor | Charges withdrawn — acquitted |
Prosecutors described Luque's care as reckless. They argued that the house where Maradona was recovering lacked basic medical equipment, including a hospital bed, a defibrillator and a quickly available ambulance, and that carers ignored warning signs such as swelling, a racing heart and breathing problems.
Luque's lawyer told the court his client had been made a "scapegoat". The defence teams argue that the death could not have been foreseen and that they did their jobs properly.
Background: how Maradona died
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and starred for Napoli and Barcelona, died on November 25, 2020, aged 60. He was found in bed at a rented house in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, where he had been sent to recover after surgery for a blood clot on the brain. The cause of death was heart failure with fluid on the lungs. He had a long history of health problems and addiction.
This is the second attempt to try the case. A first trial collapsed in 2025 after one of the judges was found to have taken part in a documentary about the proceedings, and the case had to start again with a new panel.
Reactions
Maradona's daughter Dalma attended the closing stage of the trial. She said she hopes her father receives "the justice he deserves, like anyone else". Maradona's family has long argued that he was poorly cared for in his final weeks.
Why it matters
Maradona remains a national hero in Argentina and one of the most famous footballers in history, with millions of fans across Latin America, Europe and South Asia, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, where his 1986 World Cup is still celebrated. The verdict will also be watched by doctors and patients' groups as a test of how far medical staff can be held criminally responsible for home care decisions.
What happens next
The court will deliver its verdict on December 22, 2026. Whatever the ruling, either side can appeal to higher courts in Argentina, so any prison sentences are unlikely to be final for some time. Judges can also hand down shorter sentences than prosecutors asked for, or acquit some or all of the defendants.
Questions people are asking
When is the verdict in the Maradona death trial?
The three judges of Oral Court No. 7 in San Isidro will announce their verdict on December 22, 2026, at noon local time.
Who is on trial for Maradona's death?
Six health workers: neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, care coordinator Nancy Forlini, nursing chief Mariano Perroni and nurse Ricardo Almirón. They are accused of homicide with possible intent, which they deny.
How did Diego Maradona die?
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, of heart failure with fluid on the lungs, at a rented house in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, where he was recovering from brain surgery.
