The family of football legend Diego Maradona has demanded severe prison sentences for his medical team, with divisions emerging over the appropriate punishment during testimony at the San Isidro courthouse on Wednesday.
Legal representatives for two of Maradona's daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, accused the medical professionals of murder and requested that six of the seven defendants receive sentences of up to 15 years behind bars. Attorney Fernando Burlando told the court the accused had shown brutal indifference toward the fate of a mythological hero.
The 1986 World Cup champion died on November 25, 2020, at age 60 from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema. His death occurred just two weeks following brain surgery to remove a blood clot, during his recovery period at a rented private residence.
Seven healthcare professionals have faced trial since April on charges of providing grossly inadequate medical care during Maradona's convalescence. All defendants have entered not guilty pleas to the charges against them.
Differing opinions on sentencing have emerged within the Maradona family. Legal counsel for his three sisters Rita, Claudia and Ana requested prison terms of up to 10 years for five defendants, with lawyer Pablo Jurado specifically calling for the harshest punishment against medical coordinator Nancy Forlini.
The previous day, the attorney representing Maradona's youngest child, 13-year-old Diego Fernando Maradona, had called for 16-year sentences each for personal physician Leopoldo Luque and Forlini.
State prosecutors initiated closing arguments last week, recommending guilty verdicts for six of the seven accused and proposing sentences ranging from four to 12 years. They identified Luque as deserving the most severe penalty.
Final arguments are scheduled to continue through the end of October. The court near the location where Maradona passed away is expected to announce its verdict at a later date.
