Diego Maradona doctors face premeditated murder charge: source

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

Seven people under investigation over the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona last November face charges of premeditated murder, according to AFP.

The news agency, citing a judicial source, said the accused, including members of Maradona's medical team, face eight to 25 years in prison if found guilty.

The indictment is based on findings by a board of experts into Maradona's death from a heart attack last year, a source from the San Isidro Attorney General's Office, which is leading the investigation, AFP reported.

The Napoli and Argentina legend died of a heart attack at a rented home in Buenos Aires on November 25, 2020 age 60, weeks after undergoing brain surgery on a blood clot.

The report concluded that Maradona received "inadequate" medical care and was left to his fate for a "prolonged, agonising period" before his death, which came just weeks after undergoing brain surgery on a blood clot.

"After so many injustices, the case has come full circle," the source told AFP.

The accused are prohibited from leaving the country and must appear ahead of an inquiry between May 31 and June 14.

Prosecutors believe Maradona's death was not the result of malpractice or negligent actions of his doctors, but that they knew he would die and did nothing to prevent it.

The prosecutors obtained a series of messages and audio that show that the medical team were aware that Maradona was using alcohol, psychiatric medication and marijuana in the last months of his life.

The board concluded that "the signs of life risk" shown by the former Barcelona and Napoli star were ignored, and that his care in his final weeks was "plagued by deficiencies and irregularities".

The recriminations and accusations over Maradona's death are taking place alongside another case, over his disputed inheritance, involving his five children, his brothers and Matias Morla, his former lawyer.

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

He was idolised by millions of Argentines after he inspired the South American country to their second World Cup triumph in 1986.