Maradona death trial hears warning signs could have been detected

Jose Antonio Maya, the clinical doctor and expert who gave evidence in support of Leopoldo Luque, the main defendant in the case over Diego Armando Maradona’s death, said warning signs could have been identified before the Argentina great died.

Maya told the trial, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, that doctors would first have needed Maradona’s permission to examine him.

“Maradona died suddenly, and there was no alternative,” Maya said. “The things that could have been detected required, at the very least, for a doctor to be able to see him. What could be proven was the principle of autonomy. It was not Maradona’s fault, but it was his responsibility.”

The principle of medical autonomy refers to a patient’s right to make free and informed decisions about their condition and the treatment they receive.

It had been established that Maradona ended his relationship with family doctor Luque on 18 November 2020, one week before his death. He also ended his relationship with Pedro de Spagna, the clinical doctor appointed by Swiss Medical, and nutritionist Luciano Spina.

Several witnesses in the trial described Maradona as a “difficult patient”.

Maya said De Spagna went to Maradona’s home after a nurse reported swelling in one of the former footballer’s legs. Maradona, however, refused to see him.

“When Maradona felt unwell, he allowed doctors to intervene,” Maya said. “But during that period, he felt well enough not to give the doctor the opportunity to intervene.”

Maya also rejected the suggestion that Maradona had a heart condition or was clearly at risk of developing one.

He said the oedema may not have been an immediate cause for concern, but described it as “a warning sign that required examination”.

A multidisciplinary medical board, of which Maya was a member, concluded that the conduct of the medical team had been “inadequate, incomplete and reckless”.

Maya submitted a report that reached a different conclusion from the board’s assessment.