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Argentine court: New trial over Maradona death to begin in March 2026

Fans gathered at the Obelisk to commemorate the death anniversary of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires in 2024
Fans gathered at the Obelisk to commemorate the death anniversary of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires in 2024Luciano Adan Gonzalez Torres / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP

A new trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona will begin on March 17th, after an initial proceeding was dismissed earlier this year, according to an Argentine court document seen Wednesday by AFP.

Seven of Maradona's health staff will be retried for alleged negligence over the football star's November 2020 death.

He died at age 60 of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema - a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs - two weeks after brain surgery.

A first trial collapsed in May after one of the judges was revealed to have taken part in a documentary about the court proceedings.

The other two judges who made up the court ultimately resigned.

A new three-judge bench in San Isidro was appointed in July to conduct a fresh trial.

A preliminary hearing will take place on November 12th, Wednesday's court ruling said.

Maradona's medical team was charged over the conditions of his home convalescence, which prosecutors described as grossly negligent.

They face prison terms of between eight and 25 years if convicted of "homicide with possible intent," or pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to his death.

An eighth defendant will face a jury trial.