Seven healthcare professionals are on trial in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, accused of contributing to the death of Diego Maradona through medical negligence and omissions. The seven defendants deny all responsibility, arguing that they acted strictly within their professional roles and had no direct involvement in his death.
Physiotherapist Nicolas Tafarel provided testimony about the deteriorating condition of the Argentine football star during his final weeks. Tafarel testified that Maradona would not get out of bed and refused to eat or wash himself. He explained that he repeatedly raised concerns with the medical team and requested daily monitoring of Maradona's health.
Warnings of worsening health
Tafarel said with visible emotion that Maradona was swollen and suffered from severe leg edema, but his warnings produced no immediate reaction. Doctors told Tafarel not to worry and insisted that everything would pass, which he said never happened.
Recalling their last meeting on November 24, 2020, one day before Maradona died, Tafarel said he offered to drink mate with him. Maradona refused, calling him Taffita and stating that he wanted nothing more and that this was as far as it went. When Tafarel asked what he meant, Maradona simply repeated the phrase, creating a moment Tafarel said took on special weight after the death of Dieguito.
Forensic reports and time of death
The exact time of death remains a central issue in the trial. Forensic reports agree that Maradona suffered through hours of agony before dying, although experts have not reached a consensus on the duration of that period.
