Last November, the world of soccer lost a legend when Diego Maradona died at the age of 60. Maradona had a larger-than-life public persona and a talent for stunning feats whenever he played the game. (This account of a single game he played in Toronto near the end of his career is well worth reading.) Maradona’s death left a void in the sport; he’s the kind of athlete who seemed ubiquitous, and it’s difficult to imagine the next World Cup without him there in some capacity.
For those mourning his loss, alarming news has emerged following an investigation into his death. The Associated Press reports that over 20 doctors contributed to the medical inquiry which concluded Maradona’s death could have been prevented had certain precautions been taken.
Maradona died several weeks after he underwent brain surgery on November 3, 2020. After the operation, he recuperated at a rental house. Among the inquiry’s conclusions were that the house “did not fulfill the minimum requirements” for suitable care. The report also concluded that if Maradona had received “adequate hospitalization,” he might still be alive today.
Perhaps the most unsettling part of these findings is the indication that Maradona went through a “prolonged agony period” of at least 12 hours before his death.
A lawyer for brain surgeon Leopoldo Luque took umbrage with the report, calling it “a biased report, a bad one, with no scientific foundation.” The article notes that Luque is one of seven people currently under investigation following Maradona’s death.
More Like This
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
