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'He was my idol' says Maradona doctor at trial over icon's death
TL;DR
Leopoldo Luque, Diego Maradona's former doctor, is on trial with six others for the football legend's 2020 death. Luque claims innocence and expresses regret over Maradona's passing.
Key points
- Leopoldo Luque is on trial for Diego Maradona's death.
- Maradona died in 2020 at age 60.
- Luque claims innocence and regrets Maradona's passing.
Mentioned in this story
Diego MaradonaLeopoldo Luque
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona's former doctor Leopoldo Luque is one of seven medical professionals on trial over the footballer's death in 2020 (STRINGER)
(STRINGER/AFP/AFP)
Diego Maradona's personal physician, on trial over the 2020 death of the Argentine football legend, said Thursday he was innocent of any wrongdoing in relation to his "idol."
"I want to say that I am innocent and that I deeply regret his death," neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque said of Maradona's death at age 60, as he recovered at home from surgery for a brain clot.
"I adored him, he was my idol and my friend," he later told the court, his voice breaking with emotion.
Luque, 44, is on trial with six other medical professionals accused of gross negligence in Maradona's final days, leading to his death.
The larger-than-life footballer died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema -- a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs -- two weeks after going under the knife.
The first trial over his death was sensationally annulled last year after two-and-a-half months of hearings, following revelations that one of the judges took part in a clandestine documentary about the case.
The new trial in the northern Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro, near where Maradona died, began Tuesday with a new three-judge panel.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Maradona's medical team at the start of the proceedings of being a "bunch of amateurs" who committed "all kinds of omissions" in caring for him.
On trial along with Luque are a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a medical coordinator, a nursing coordinator, a doctor and a night nurse.
The defendants argue that the hard-living Maradona, who battled cocaine and alcohol addictions, died of natural causes.
Each has minimized his or her role in the decisions taken about his care.
They risk prison terms of between eight and 25 years if convicted of homicide with possible intent -- pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to death.
- 'That didn't happen' -
Q&A
What is Leopoldo Luque's role in Diego Maradona's death trial?
Leopoldo Luque is one of seven medical professionals on trial for alleged negligence related to Diego Maradona's death in 2020.
What did Leopoldo Luque say about his involvement in Maradona's death?
Leopoldo Luque stated he is innocent of any wrongdoing and expressed deep regret over Maradona's death.
How did Diego Maradona die?
Diego Maradona died at age 60 while recovering at home from surgery for a brain clot.
