Was Diego Maradona killed by the ‘medical mafia’? Football legend’s daughter fights tears as she reveals family ‘live in fear’ before ‘cover-up’ trial into his death in Argentina

Diego Maradona’s daughter has called for justice ahead of the start of the trial into the death of her father, while revealing that her family live in fear of the mafia. 

The Argentinian football legend suffered a fatal heart attack at home in November 2020, just two weeks after he was released from hospital following surgery for a bleed on his brain. 

His family has since alleged negligence by the medical practitioners he was in the care of, a cover-up and derogatory comments. The trial into his death begins on March 11.

Dalma Maradona, the eldest daughter of the former star, shared a video containing audio she claims proves serious irregularities in the 60-year-old’s care. And she revealed that her mother is in fear of the ‘mafia’ who ‘control everything’. 

‘My mother is worried because she is afraid,’ she said on the Angel Responde show on Bondi Live. ‘Afraid of the mafia, of those who control everything, have money and power. But I don’t care. I know who I am up against, but I cannot remain silent. We need people to know the truth. My mother tells me all the time “shut up, don’t say anything, I’m scared”, but I can’t. I owe it to him.’

Dalma was previously reported to have alleged that a ‘mafia of assassins’ caused her father’s death. She claims there are recordings that exist that prove a lack of medical attention with conversations about cover-ups and professional negligence, Argentine outlet Diario Registrado report.

Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, having knocked England out in the quarter final with the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and another – later voted ‘Goal of the Century.’

Renowned for his breathtaking playing ability, Maradona’s wild life off the pitch was equally notorious; running around with the mafia in Naples, serial womanising and a lethal dependency on alcohol and cocaine.

Argentina went into three days of mourning in which his body was lying in state at the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.

In April 2023 it was announced that eight doctors and nurses would go on trial for the alleged crime of simple homicide with eventual intent over how they cared for Maradona in his final hours.

They face 25 years in jail if convicted.

The eight defendants are: neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, Nancy Forlini (a doctor who co-ordinated Maradona’s home care), Mariano Perroni (the co-ordinator of the nurses), nurse Ricardo Omar Almiron, nurse Dahiana Gisela Madrid and clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagna. 

Last year, a medical report by medical examiner Pablo Ferrari claimed Maradona’s rapid and erratic heartbeat was either of natural origin or stemmed from an ‘external’ factor, possibly a drug like cocaine.

Maradona had battled alcohol and drug addiction for many years and had undergone brain surgery in November 2020.

Ferrari said he couldn’t do a toxicology report based on Maradona’s insufficient urine sample.

Maradona’s psychiatrist Augustina Cosachov is one of the eight people set to face trial over the star’s death.

His lawyer told The Sun: ‘There could have been two causes: one natural and the other, a product of the ingestion of a toxic substance.’

The prosecutor’s office criticised the expert’s report as hastily cobbled together in 72 hours and accused Ferrari of neglecting four years of evidence in favour of ‘a minimal slice of evidence offered by the defence.’

‘There is no twist in the case,’ prosecutors said.

Argentine prosecutors launched investigations shortly after Maradona’s death, including ordering searches of properties of his personal doctor and probing others involved in his care.

An inquest in 2021 into the death of Maradona concluded that his medical team acted in an ‘inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner’.

The inquest found Maradona would have had a ‘better chance of survival’ had he received ‘adequate medical care’.

Maradona’s cause of death was officially listed as ‘acute pulmonary edema secondary to exacerbated chronic heart failure’.