Maradona's final play: Doctor claims home care was 'red card' to recovery in testimony

In a pivotal moment at the trial of seven medical professionals accused of negligence in Diego Maradona’s death, Dr. Mario Alejandro Schiter, who had treated the football icon for over 20 years, testified on Tuesday that Maradona should never have been discharged to home care following surgery in 2020.

Instead, Schiter argued, the legendary soccer star should have been admitted to a rehabilitation center for closer supervision and a safer recovery.

Maradona, who led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 while undergoing home hospitalisation at a private residence on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. His death came just days after undergoing brain surgery to remove a blood clot.


"He should have gone to a rehabilitation clinic... a more protected place for him," Schiter, who had been Maradona’s doctor during his battles with drug addiction, told the court, reported AP.

Schiter further expressed his concerns about Maradona’s care, stating that given his extensive history of health issues, home care was an inadequate option.

“Knowing the patient, I would not have suggested home hospitalisation,” Schiter added. "He was not easy to manage, given my direct knowledge of having treated him at the worst moment of his life."

Who is to blame for Maradona’s death?

Schiter’s testimony became a critical piece in the prosecution's case against the seven medical professionals facing charges of culpable homicide.

The accused include a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, medical clinicians, and nurses, who are all alleged to have failed in their duty of care to Maradona, ultimately contributing to his death.

The prosecution claims that the medical team overlooked key warning signs and failed to provide the proper care Maradona needed in his vulnerable post-surgery state.

According to Schiter, he was consulted during Maradona’s treatment but had no decision-making authority over the choice to send him home for care. He explained that the clinic’s directors made the final decision to proceed with home hospitalisation, despite his reservations.

Schiter also revealed that the house where Maradona was taken lacked the necessary medical equipment to properly monitor and treat his condition, further exacerbating the situation.

A fateful decision

Schiter, who was also present during the autopsy of Maradona’s body, reported troubling findings that support the allegations of negligence.

He stated that “all the evidence suggests that there was a failure to provide modifiable care, which led to heart failure,” a crucial element in the soccer legend’s demise. Schiter’s testimony paints a picture of neglect and mismanagement during Maradona’s final days, fuelling the prosecution's argument that the care he received at home was insufficient and ultimately contributed to his tragic death.

As the trial continues, the world awaits the outcome of whether the accused medical professionals will be held accountable for their roles in the events leading to Maradona's passing.

The case not only raises serious questions about the care of a beloved public figure but also highlights the critical importance of appropriate medical decisions for patients, especially in such high-risk situations.