Dalma Maradona, the eldest daughter of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, gave a powerful and emotional testimony Tuesday in the trial of seven healthcare professionals accused of criminal negligence in her father's death, reports AP/ UNB.
Describing the room where Maradona spent his final days under home hospitalization in 2020, Dalma called it “disgusting” and said it “smelled like urine.” She claimed that her family was misled by the medical team into believing her father would receive proper 24-hour care, which never materialized.
“They promised us a home hospitalization that never happened,” Dalma said in court. “They deceived us in the cruelest way.”
Maradona, who led Argentina to its 1986 World Cup victory, died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, shortly after undergoing brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. He was recovering at a private residence near Buenos Aires under what was supposed to be a medically supervised home care program.
Dalma said the living conditions were appalling.
“The bed was disgusting. There was a portable toilet. A panel blocked the windows. The kitchen was filthy. It wasn’t fit for anyone, let alone a patient,” she testified.
Seven healthcare professionals — including neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, and psychologist Carlos Díaz — are facing charges for failing to provide adequate care. If convicted, they could face up to 25 years in prison.
According to Dalma, the doctors told the family that home hospitalization was the only viable option, dismissing alternatives like voluntary or forced hospitalization.
“They told us home care was the only way. They said nurses would be monitoring him 24/7. That never happened,” she said.
Dalma revealed that she was not allowed to visit her father during his home care and only saw him again after he had died.
“When I entered the room, he was swollen all over. I threw myself on him thinking he’d wake up. I still miss him every day. What hurts most is knowing this could have been avoided.”
The prosecution argues that substandard care and poor decision-making directly led to Maradona’s death. Last week, Maradona’s ex-wife and another doctor also testified, questioning why he was taken to a private home instead of a rehabilitation facility.
The trial continues in Buenos Aires.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
