Maradona’s former bodyguard arrested over contradictions in court testimony

A former bodyguard of Diego Maradona was arrested on 26 March for allegedly giving false testimony in the trial of seven medical professionals accused of criminal negligence in the football legend's medical care.

Julio Coria was taken into custody after leaving the courtroom in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, as judges ruled in favour of the prosecution's claim that he had lied under oath.

Coria had been present in the house where Maradona died under circumstances prosecutors argue amounted to negligence. Evidence presented in court stated that he had attempted to revive the former Argentina captain with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Maradona passed away on 25 November 2020 at the age of 60 while recovering at home from brain surgery for a blood clot. His long history of struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction had already impacted his health.

His seven-person medical team is on trial for what prosecutors have described as the "horror theatre" of his final days.

Jana Maradona, one of his five children and a plaintiff in the case alongside her siblings and Maradona's sisters, told the court that she and her sister Gianinna had visited their father a week before his death. She said he was in a bad mood and that his psychologist—one of the defendants—had advised them to delay further visits until Maradona himself requested to see his family.

Jana also stated that her father appeared "bloated" and confirmed reports from other witnesses that there was no medical equipment present in the house.

Maradona died of heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema—an accumulation of fluid in the lungs—just two weeks after undergoing surgery.

Coria, who had attempted resuscitation until doctors arrived at the house in the affluent Tigre suburb near San Isidro, claimed in court that he had not spoken with Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's personal physician and one of the defendants.

However, investigators uncovered multiple text messages between Coria and Luque, both before and after Maradona's death. The prosecution repeatedly interrupted Coria's testimony, citing "contradictions and omissions," before requesting his arrest.

The seven defendants are charged with "homicide with possible intent," meaning they allegedly continued with a course of action despite knowing it could lead to Maradona's death. If found guilty, they face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.

Prosecutors argue that Maradona was left to die in a "prolonged, agonising period" due to the negligence of those responsible for his care.

The long-delayed trial is expected to run until July, with nearly 120 witnesses set to testify.