Diego Maradona's medical team accused of ignoring critical health warnings

The medical team responsible for football legend Diego Maradona's care in the weeks before his 2020 death ignored critical warning signs about his deteriorating health, a forensic doctor has accused. Carlos Cassinelli, who was part of the 22-member commission established to investigate Maradona's death and also participated in the autopsy, stated that the former footballer exhibited "alarm signals" that were not adequately addressed.

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There were alarm signals: edema in the lower limbs, edema in the fingers, snoring, shortness of breath, signs of hypertension or tachycardia. Nobody checked what was going on with this generalized swelling, even though it represented a vital risk. The final result was death. It is considered that these alarm signals were not taken into account by the doctors, because their attitude did not change.

During a trial where seven healthcare professionals face charges of potentially fatal negligence, Dr. Cassinelli detailed the symptoms Maradona presented. These included "edema in the lower limbs, edema in the fingers, snoring, shortness of breath, signs of hypertension or tachycardia." He emphasized that despite these indicators, which represented a "vital risk," no one investigated their cause, and the medical team's approach remained unchanged, ultimately leading to Maradona's death.

Dr. Cassinelli presented what is considered one of the most damning testimonies regarding the alleged lack of attention paid to Maradona during his two-week post-operative convalescence in a rented residence north of Buenos Aires. He asserted that the deterioration of Maradona's health was progressive from the time he left the hospital until his death, noting that "at least ten days" before his passing, an alarm could have been raised.

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The deterioration of health was progressive. From leaving the hospital until death. At least ten days (before his death). An alarm could have been raised.

Further elaborating on the final hours, Dr. Cassinelli reiterated his previous testimony that Maradona's "agonal phase lasted approximately 12 hours." He described this as a "phase between life and death, during which functions are gradually lost. A phase in which the passage to death is irreversible." Several other witnesses, including security personnel and a masseur, have corroborated the accounts of neglect during Maradona's final days.

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A phase between life and death, during which functions are gradually lost. A phase in which the passage to death is irreversible.