Seven health professionals face manslaughter probe over Maradona's death – Newstrends
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Seven health professionals face manslaughter probe over Maradona’s death

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Diego Maradona

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.

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Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen

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Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen

Marcus Rashford’s potential exit from Manchester United could open the door to Victor Osimhen making the move to Old Trafford, according to a new report.

The 27-year-old has been dropped from the side in recent weeks by head coach Ruben Amorim. In fact, he has not featured in a minute of football since his side’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest on 7 December.

Reports by Goal.com suggested on Thursday, December 2 that Rashford is keen to see out his career in Europe, having turned down three offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia. He reportedly turned down the chance to secure a contract worth £ 675,000 per week in a bid to reclaim a spot back in the England side.

As such, a move to Napoli has now been mooted according to several media agencies in the UK and Italy. Antonio Conte’s men are currently in second place in the Italian top flight and are looking to bring in another forward to secure the league title, reports The Sun.
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They are keen on Rashford and it’s thought that this could open the door for the Red Devils to sign Victor Osimhen, as part of a sensational swap deal.

Osimhen was close to making a move to Chelsea during the summer window, but the proposed move collapsed as they could not agree personal terms. During the window, the striker instead made the loan move to Galatasaray for the 2024/25 season. So far in Turkey, he has scored 12 goals and made five assists in 15 outings.

Osimhen netted 76 times for Napoli in 133 appearances, even helping them win a scudetto during the 2022/23 season.

United have scored just 21 league goals this season, with Rasmus Hojlund, particularly Joshua Zirkzee, particularly under-fire. It could be that the Old Trafford club is looking to bring in another forward in the winter window ahead of the second half of the season.

Osimhen reportedly has a £62 million release clause in his contract and any move involving Rashford would see the Manchester-born attacker reunited with former United player Scott McTominay at the Italian city.

 

Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen

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This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing

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Stanley Nwabali

This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother to the cold hands of death barely two month after losing his father.

Nwabali took to his X handle on New Year Day to announce the death of his mother.

In a deeply emotional moment, he shared that this has been “the worst year” of his life, a heart-wrenching statement that captures the weight of his grief.

Nwabali‘s words convey the raw pain of navigating through such a devastating period, with a message that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced profound loss.

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His final post describes the world as “crazy,” encapsulating the bewilderment and despair that often follows such an overwhelming tragedy.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) extended heartfelt condolences to Nwabali following the devastating loss of his mother.
In a message shared on social media, the NFF expressed solidarity with Nwabali during this extremely difficult time, offering strength and support.
“Stay strong, Stanley. You are not alone; we are all with you,” the NFF wrote, demonstrating the collective support of the football community as he navigates through his grief.

This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing

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EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool

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EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool

Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points as Gabriel Jesus extended his hot-streak in a 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half goal at the Gtech Community Stadium.

But Arsenal refused to be blown away on a wet and windy evening in west London as Jesus equalised before the break.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth goal in his last four games after he scored just once in his first 20 matches this season.

Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli netted in quick succession soon after half-time to ensure Arsenal moved into second place above Nottingham Forest.

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Excluding their 5-1 rout of Crystal Palace, the Gunners had spluttered through their last four games with lacklustre draws against Fulham and Everton followed by a narrow win over lowly Ipswich.

But Arsenal’s first Premier League game of 2025 provided compelling evidence that they are ready to compete in the title race with Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the north Londoners.

Runners-up to Manchester City for the last two seasons, Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, a revitalising run that includes four successive wins.

With Bukayo Saka sidelined for several months due to a hamstring injury, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made his first league start for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz was absent after scoring Arsenal’s winner against Ipswich but Jesus ensured the German was not missed.

Arsenal did not lose a single one of their 10 league London derbies in 2024 and they maintained their impressive record in capital clashes after surviving an early blow.

EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool

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