Diego Maradona: Prosecutors want medical staff to face trial over football great's death

Former World Cup winner died aged 50 in November 2020 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot

In this file picture taken on June 29, 1986 Argentina's captain Diego Maradona kisses the World Cup after a 3-2 victory over West Germany at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. Maradona is self-isolating after one of his bodyguards displayed symptoms of Covid-19. AFP

In this file picture taken on May 20, 2008 former Argentinian football player Diego Maradona controls the ball as he poses during a photocall for Serbian director Emir Kusturica's film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Maradona turns 60 on October 30, 2020. AFP

In this file picture taken on January 16, 2009 Argentina's national football team coach Diego Maradona laughs during a press conference in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires. AFP

In this file picture taken on November 29, 2018 Mexican second division football club Dorados' Argentine coach Diego Armando Maradona looks on before a match of the first round of the Final against Atletico San Luis at the Banorte stadium in Culiacan, Sinaloa State, Mexico. AFP

In this file picture taken on December 1, 2017 Argentina's former footballer Diego Maradona poses on stage ahead of the 2018 World Cup draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. AFP

In this file picture taken on December 15, 2013 Napoli supporters wave a flag bearing a portrait of football legend Argentinian Diego Maradona during the Serie A football match against Inter Milan at San Paolo Stadium in Naples. AFP

In this file picture taken on May 22, 1986 Argentine football star Diego Maradona, wearing a diamond earring, balances a ball on his head as he walks off the practice field following the national team's practice session in Mexico City. AFP

In this file picture taken on December 6, 2008 Argentina's national team coach and former football star Diego Armando Maradona gestures as he attends a felicitation programme at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India. AFP

In this file picture taken on June 16, 2018 Argentina football legend Diego Maradona smokes a cigar as he attends the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Iceland at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. AFP

In this March 7, 2020 file photo, Gimnasia y Esgrima coach Diego Maradona before a match against Boca Juniors. Reuters

In this September 8, 2019 file photo, president of Gimnasia y Esgrima Gabriel Pellegrino and Diego Maradona during his presentation as new coach. Reuters

In this file picture taken on November 6, 2001 former football star Diego Maradona answers questions during a press conference in Buenos Aires. AFP

Prosecutors investigating the 2020 death of Argentine football great Diego Maradona have asked that the medical staff who treated him be tried for negligent homicide.

In their request on Wednesday, the prosecutors said "omissions" and mismanagement by eight medical professionals in charge of Maradona placed him in a "situation of helplessness" and abandoned him "to his fate" during his home hospitalisation, according to the court filing cited by the official Telam news agency.

Maradona died aged 50 in November 2020 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot.

Neurosurgeon and family doctor Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are under investigation over his death as the main people responsible for the health of the former football star.

Six others, including psychologist Carlos Diaz and medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, are also accused.

The prosecution accuses them of "simple homicide with dolus eventualis," an offence in which a person is negligent while knowing their negligence can cause someone's death.

They could face sentences ranging from eight to 25 years in prison.

According to the prosecutors, the defendants "were the protagonists of an unprecedented, totally deficient and reckless hospitalisation at home", and allegedly committed a "series of improvisations, mismanagement and shortcomings".

The defence must now present its arguments and may ask for the case to be dismissed.

Maradona is widely considered one of the greatest footballers in history. He led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup and enjoyed a successful club career that spanned more than 20 years.

After coming through the Argentinos Juniors youth system and playing for the first team for six years, Maradona had spells at Boca Juniors and Barcelona, before a seven-year spell at Napoli in which he transformed the club's fortunes and guided them to their first ever Serie A title in 1987, winning the scudetto again two years later.

Stepping into football management, Maradona had various short-term spells around the world, including with the Argentina national team, whom he led to the 2010 World Cup, and in the UAE, first with Al Wasl and then with Fujairah.