Diego Maradona Cause of Death Trial: Argentina Legend May Have Died from Covid-19, Claims Expert Witness Pablo Ferrari
Official expert Pablo Ferrari in Maradona's death trial suggests COVID-19 as a possible cause for the football legend's November 25, 2020, passing. Ferrari criticized the absence of coronavirus screening, challenging claims of prolonged agony. This impacts the medical negligence case against seven healthcare professionals in San Isidro.
The high-profile trial into the death of Argentine football icon Diego Maradona has taken an unexpected turn, as an official court expert presented a theory suggesting that COVID-19 cannot be ruled out as a contributing factor to his passing. Forensic doctor Pablo Ferrari, appearing as the final witness, delivered testimony that has sent ripples through the courtroom and the public, challenging core arguments of medical negligence presented by the prosecution. Diego Maradona Death Case: Julieta Makintach, Judge in Former Argentina Captain Negligence Case, Resigns Amid Scandal.
Ferrari highlighted a significant methodological error in the initial post-mortem examination, specifically the failure to conduct a coronavirus screening at a time when the global pandemic was rampant. 'We cannot rule out that he died of Covid,' Ferrari stated before the San Isidro court, as reported by Spanish outlet MARCA. He explained that the respiratory virus could rapidly overwhelm a patient's physical state, leading to a swift decline.
Contradicting Prolonged Agony Claims
This new hypothesis directly contradicts previous expert testimonies, which asserted that Maradona endured a prolonged period of agony, potentially up to 12 hours, due to untreated heart failure. Ferrari's assessment suggests a much shorter terminal phase, arguing that the fluid accumulation in Maradona's lungs could have caused respiratory distress leading to cardiac arrest over minutes to a few hours. "His agony must have been a few minutes long," he added, disputing the earlier prolonged agony theory.
Maradona, widely regarded as one of football's greatest, died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, from cardiorespiratory arrest associated with acute pulmonary oedema. His death occurred while he was receiving home care in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, following surgery for a subdural haematoma. Diego Maradona Death Case: Accused Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov Blames Private Medical Firm for Negligence in Argentina Legend’s Diagnosis, Says ‘She Has No Regrets Over Treatment’.
The Ongoing Negligence Trial
The ongoing trial, which began on April 14, 2026, and has heard 76 witnesses, aims to determine responsibility for Maradona's death. Seven healthcare professionals are currently facing charges of "homicide with dolo eventual," a legal classification in Argentina implying they were aware their actions or omissions could potentially lead to the star's death. If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to 25 years.
The defendants include neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, nurse Ricardo Almirón, and clinical physician Pedro Di Spagna. All have pleaded not guilty. Mario Alejandro Schiter, Doctor of Diego Maradona, Testifies That He Should Have Been Admitted to a Clinic Instead of Being Sent Home.
| Key Individuals Involved | Role |
|---|---|
| Diego Maradona | Deceased Football Legend (died November 25, 2020, aged 60) |
| Dr. Pablo Ferrari | Official Court Expert (Forensic Doctor, final witness) |
| Leopoldo Luque | Neurosurgeon, main defendant |
| Agustina Cosachov | Psychiatrist, defendant |
| Carlos Díaz | Psychologist, defendant |
| Nancy Forlini | Medical Coordinator, defendant |
| Mariano Perroni | Nursing Coordinator, defendant |
| Ricardo Almirón | Nurse, defendant |
| Pedro Di Spagna | Clinical Physician, defendant |
Ferrari's testimony lends support to the defense's argument, which has largely focused on the sudden nature of Maradona's death. Another defense expert, cardiologist Ricardo Iglesias, previously stated that Maradona died from a sudden and unforeseeable arrhythmic event, arguing he had no active cardiac condition in 2020.
A Trial Plagued by Complications
The trial has been marked by several complexities, including a recent revelation in August 2026 that some clinical analyses considered by the medical panel mistakenly belonged to Maradona's father, causing a temporary halt to proceedings. With only a handful of witnesses remaining, closing arguments by the 13 legal parties involved are scheduled to commence on October 6, 2026.
The new COVID-19 theory introduces a compelling element of doubt into a case that has gripped Argentina, potentially altering the legal landscape for the healthcare professionals accused of negligence in the final days of the global football icon. The court now faces the challenge of weighing this unexpected possibility against earlier extensive medical panel conclusions that pointed towards inadequate care.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2026 12:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).