Maradona trial on hold over possible medical evidence mix-up

The trial of healthcare workers accused of criminal negligence in the care of former Argentine football star Diego Maradona has been suspended due to a possible mix-up in kidney test results. The new trial, which began in April, had been nearing a close when the controversy arose. The defence claims that the kidney test evidence presented in court belongs to Maradona's father, also named Diego, who died in 2015, rather than the football legend.

The court has adjourned until August 27 to verify whether the tests correspond to Maradona or his father. Maradona died of heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema at a rented home in Buenos Aires in November 2020, two weeks after undergoing brain surgery. The medical team is accused of providing inadequate care in the lead-up to his death.

The prosecution argues that the test mix-up does not jeopardize their case, but if confirmed, it could discredit the medical commission evaluating Maradona's death circumstances and strengthen the defence.

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