Maradona’s former aide tells trial that star was manipulated

A therapeutic support worker who assisted Diego Maradona in the weeks before his death told a court on Tuesday that people around the football icon manipulated his communications and controlled who was allowed to speak to him during his home hospitalisation.

"There was manipulation. I saw telephone manipulation," support worker Carlos Cottaro said during the ongoing trial examining responsibility for Maradona's death in 2020.

Cottaro, who worked with Maradona during part of the home care period that preceded his death, alleged that the former footballer's secretary, Maximiliano Pomargo, influenced whether his daughters were allowed to see him.

"He decided whether the daughters could see him or not," Cottaro told the court.

He also claimed that calls to Maradona were often intercepted. "Diego's phones would ring and they would pick them up, and the communication would not go through," Cottaro said, referring to Pomargo and his assistants.

Pomargo has not been charged in the case, which is focused on the actions of seven health professionals responsible for Maradona's care during his home hospitalisation. Prosecutors have questioned both the decision to treat him at home and the conditions under which that care was provided.

Echoing previous witnesses, Cottaro said the house where Maradona recovered after undergoing neurosurgery was dirty and lacked essential medical equipment.

Maradona underwent surgery for a subdural haematoma on November 3, 2020. Days later, he was transferred to a house in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, where he died on November 25 at the age of 60 from acute pulmonary oedema and cardiorespiratory arrest.

Three new defendants testified during this week’s hearings, including clinical physician Pedro Di Spagna, who gave evidence for the first time.

Di Spagna, who visited Maradona twice at his home, said a representative of the private healthcare provider instructed him not to continue monitoring the patient.

Doctors, nurses and a psychologist who formed part of Maradona's medical team are charged with homicide with possible intent, a legal classification that implies they were aware their actions could lead to the former footballer's death.

In addition to the seven health professionals on trial, an eighth defendant, a nurse, will face a separate trial. All those accused deny wrongdoing and face prison sentences of up to 25 years if convicted.

The proceedings are being held twice a week and are expected to continue at least until July.

– TIMES/AFP