Diego Maradona trial: Experts testify against home care

During the 38th hearing of the trial investigating the death of Diego Maradona, medical experts testified that the former footballer should have been hospitalized in a psychiatric institution rather than receiving home care.

Psychiatrist José Luis Covelli, a member of the Medical Board, testified before the San Isidro Tribunal No. 7 that Maradona was suffering from a confusional syndrome due to alcohol withdrawal. Covelli stated that on November 11, following surgery for a subdural hematoma, Maradona was “not in a condition to decide on his health” and exhibited irritability, attempts to flee, and a need for containment, making him a risk to himself and others.

Pathologist Ramiro Larea supported these findings, noting that the home care provided in Tigre was more akin to “home monitoring” rather than actual medical hospitalization. Experts argued that the home setting failed to meet the necessary requirements for monitoring the patient's cognitive progress during his state of confusion. The testimony specifically pointed to neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov as the professionals responsible for his treatment.