Sports
Seven health professionals face manslaughter probe over Maradona’s death
Seven health professionals face manslaughter probe over Maradona’s death
Seven people have been placed under formal investigation for manslaughter in Argentina over the November death of footballing legend Diego Maradona.
The accused – who include Maradona’s neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz – potentially face eight to 25 years in prison.
The indictment is based on findings by a board of experts into Maradona’s death from a heart attack last year, a source from the San Isidro Attorney General’s Office, which is leading the investigation, said Wednesday.
That report concluded that the footballing icon received inadequate medical care and was left to his fate for a ‘prolonged, agonizing period’ before his death, which came just weeks after undergoing brain surgery on a blood clot.
‘After so many injustices, the case has come full circle,’ the source told AFP.
The accused are prohibited from leaving the country and must appear ahead of an inquiry between May 31 and June 14.
The legal proceedings were prompted by a complaint filed by two of Maradona’s five daughters against Luque, who they blamed for their father’s deteriorating condition after the brain surgery.
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Prosecutors believe Maradona’s death was not the result of malpractice or negligent actions of his doctors, but that they knew the former soccer star would die and did nothing to prevent it.
The prosecutors obtained a series of messages and audio that show that the medical team were aware that Maradona was using alcohol, psychiatric medication and marijuana in the last months of his life.
Among the conclusions of the report, the medical board said that ‘the signs of life risk’ shown by the former Napoli and Barcelona star were ignored, and that his care in his final weeks was ‘plagued by deficiencies and irregularities’.
The recriminations and accusations over Maradona’s death are taking place alongside another case, over his disputed inheritance, involving his five children, his brothers and Matias Morla, his former lawyer.
Maradona is an idol to millions of Argentines after he inspired the South American country to only their second World Cup triumph in 1986.
Maradona began taking cocaine in the mid-1980s – during the height of his playing days, going on to develop an addiction to drugs and alcohol over the next two decades.
His drug use began in 1982 and reportedly grew worse in 1984 when he moved to Napoli and had connections with the Comorra.
In 2014, Maradona said of his drug use: ‘I gave my opponents a big advantage. Do you know the player I could have been if I hadn’t taken drugs?’
His first real punishment came in 1991 when he was banned for 15 months by Napoli after testing positive for cocaine. Later in the same year he was arrested in Buenos Aires for possessing half a kilo of cocaine, and was given a 14-month suspended sentence.
In 1994, Maradona was back in the fold with the Argentina national team, making headlines around the world for a now-famous screaming celebration into the camera lens after a goal against Greece. His tournament was to come to an early end, though, after he was expelled days later for testing positive for five variants of ephedrine, a banned substance. He was banned for 15 months, ending his international career.
In 1995, he moved to Boca Juniors but two years later he failed a drugs test for the third time in six years, putting an end to his playing career. Officially, a ‘prohibited substance’ is all that has been revealed about that test, but Boca president Mauricio Macri has said in interviews that cocaine was found in a urine sample.
In 1996, Maradona said publicly: ‘I was, am and always will be a drug addict.’
In 2000, the footballing legend suffered an overdose, and in 2004 he had a heart attack. A year later, he was forced to have gastric bypass surgery, and in 2007 he was back in hospital again, this time suffering hepatitis.
It is then understood he stopped taking drugs, telling a journalist in 2017 that he hadn’t taken drugs for 13 years and was feeling ‘great’.
He has been drinking alcohol since 2004, though, hitting the headlines at the 2018 World Cup for his bizarre antics at a number of Argentina games. A video emerged of him drinking tequila on a plane, and he claimed he ‘drank all the wine’ ahead of their win over Nigeria.
Sports
Haaland scores twice as Man City hammer West Ham
Haaland scores twice as Man City hammer West Ham
Erling Haaland scored twice in the Premier League for the first time in over three months as Manchester City, Man City hammered West Ham to equal their biggest win of the season.
Haaland followed up his header late in the first half by calmly chipping over advancing West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola after running on to a through ball from Savinho.
Savinho was arguably Man City’s best player. It was the Brazilian who forced their 10th-minute opener with a left-wing cross that deflected off Vladimir Coufal and left Areola stranded.
Phil Foden added a fourth, tapping home only his second league goal of the season after Kevin de Bruyne unselfishly set him up rather than attempting to mark his 400th City appearance in style.
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West Ham did pull one back when Niclas Fullkrug turned home skipper Tomas Soucek’s cross 19 minutes from time but Crysencio Summerville wasted their best chance after that when he was off target with the goal at his mercy.
It was the first time Man City have won successive games since October and will at least allow manager Pep Guardiola to feel a corner is starting to be turned after the horror run that has led to the club’s Treble-winning boss questioning himself in a way scarcely imaginable for most of his nine-year reign.
In contrast, West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui remains under intense pressure. This defeat was not on the same scale as the five-goal home loss to Liverpool in the Hammers’ last game.
But former manager David Moyes’ presence in the stands was a reminder the east London outfit have not made the progress anticipated when the Scot left at the end of last season – and Lopetegui could yet pay the price for that.
Haaland scores twice as Man City hammer West Ham
Sports
Osimhen scores 10th goal as Galatasaray beat Goztepe 2-1
Osimhen scores 10th goal as Galatasaray beat Goztepe 2-1
Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen showcased his brilliance once again as he notched his 10th goal of the season to help Galatasaray secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Goztepe in the Turkish Super League on Saturday.
The match kicked off with high energy, and Galatasaray wasted no time asserting dominance.
In the 10th minute, Osimhen converted a penalty with trademark composure, sending goalkeeper Mateusz Lis the wrong way to put the hosts ahead. The early lead set the tone for a fiercely contested game.
Goztepe responded in the 27th minute when Romulo delivered a stunning equaliser, weaving through Galatasaray’s defence before rifling a shot off the left post and into the net, leaving Fernando Muslera rooted to the spot.
The second half saw relentless action, with both sides battling for supremacy. In the 61st minute, Yunus Akgun restored Galatasaray’s lead, expertly finishing from inside the box after a well-placed pass by Dries Mertens.
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Goztepe responded in the 27th minute when Romulo delivered a stunning equaliser, weaving through Galatasaray’s defence before rifling a shot off the left post and into the net, leaving Fernando Muslera rooted to the spot.
The second half saw relentless action, with both sides battling for supremacy. In the 61st minute, Yunus Akgun restored Galatasaray’s lead, expertly finishing from inside the box after a well-placed pass by Dries Mertens.
The home side’s teamwork and sharp passing proved decisive, as they held off Goztepe’s late attempts to equalise.
Osimhen, a constant thorn in Goztepe’s defence, was substituted in the 87th minute to a standing ovation, underscoring his pivotal role in Galatasaray’s campaign.
The match ended after 11 minutes of added time, with Galatasaray clinching three crucial points to maintain their strong league standing.
Osimhen scores 10th goal as Galatasaray beat Goztepe 2-1
Sports
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Mohamed Salah has hinted that this season will be his last at Liverpool, vowing to end his time at the club on a high by winning the Premier League.
The 32-year-old forward is in exceptional form, with Liverpool six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and holding a game in hand ahead of their upcoming clash with Manchester United. Salah currently leads the league in both goals (17) and assists (13), underscoring his pivotal role in the team’s success.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Salah revealed his primary ambition for the season – to deliver Liverpool’s second Premier League title.
Reflecting on his targets, which he had written down during a summer holiday, he shared, “The first thing on my list was to win the Premier League with Liverpool. For years, I’ve always talked about wanting to win the Champions League, but this time, my focus is on the league. It feels like the right goal for my final season here.”
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When asked why he views this as his last campaign at Anfield, Salah candidly explained, “I can’t really explain it, but something about this year feels different. Maybe it’s because we didn’t get to celebrate the last Premier League win properly due to the pandemic. That title meant so much to the club, the fans, and the city, but the moment wasn’t what we dreamed it would be. I want to leave here having given Liverpool another moment to remember.”
Under previous manager Jürgen Klopp, Salah was instrumental in Liverpool’s golden era, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, European Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Now, with many of his former teammates still in the squad, Salah believes this team has one more triumph in them.
“My motivation this season is clear—to win another trophy, especially the Premier League,” Salah said.
“This team has achieved so much, but winning the league for a second time would solidify our legacy. Players like Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Virgil [van Dijk], Alisson, and Robbo [Andy Robertson] are still here, and we owe it to ourselves and the fans to go out on a high.”
When asked whether he believes a second title is necessary to cement the team’s place among the Premier League greats, he said, “Absolutely. We’ve won almost everything, but one league title isn’t enough for a team of our quality. Winning it twice would make a real statement, and that’s what I’m working toward.”
As Salah enters the final six months of his contract, speculation over his future is certain to intensify. However, for now, the Egyptian forward remains laser-focused on achieving his goals with Liverpool before bidding farewell.
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
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