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SportsMaradona's secretary testifies he was 'in free fall' before death
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Diego Maradona's personal secretary, Maximiliano Pomargo, testified in the ongoing trial for the Argentine football legend's death, stating that a month before his death in November 2020, Maradona was 'in free fall' due to excessive alcohol consumption and health problems. Pomargo said he alerted family doctor Leopoldo Luque about the drinking and that forced hospitalization was discussed. The testimony revealed contradictions about Maradona's home treatment, with Pomargo initially denying influence over the decision not to hospitalize him, then later saying Maradona refused hospitalization. Pomargo reported liver problems and that Maradona appeared swollen and depressed in his final days. Seven medical professionals are on trial for simple homicide with eventual intent. Psychologist Carlos Díaz also testified, saying his treatment suggestions were rejected and that he was accused of exposing the team to Maradona's family.
Source report
Diego Maradona's personal secretary testified on Thursday that the Argentine football icon was "in free fall" due to health problems and excessive alcohol consumption in the month before his death.
Key Testimony from Maximiliano Pomargo
Maximiliano Pomargo was part of the team led by Maradona's lawyer and representative, Matías Morla, responsible for the personal, commercial, and legal affairs of the football star (1960–2020). He began working as a personal secretary in 2016.
According to his explanation, he handled everything, "from buying a pair of sneakers to speaking with the FIFA president."
When asked about Maradona's health condition in October 2020, Pomargo replied that "Diego was in free fall." He stated that he alerted the family doctor, Leopoldo Luque, about the former Boca Juniors and Napoli legend's excessive alcohol consumption.
"He was drinking a lot. There was no solution. That month, the possibility of forcibly hospitalizing him was even discussed; it was talked about," he said.
Contradictions in Home Treatment
The testimony revealed contradictions regarding the home treatment Maradona underwent between November 11 and 25, 2020, the day he died.
Pomargo initially denied having influence over that decision—considered crucial in the fatal outcome by the prosecution—but when confronted with messages to the contrary, he later said that Maradona did not want to be hospitalized and that he "would never have done anything against Diego's will."
Health Concerns and Warnings
Pomargo said he was unaware of any cardiac history but admitted knowing about the health issues made public before joining the team, although he did not believe the press reports.
The then-personal secretary also reported that in August 2020, medical tests revealed liver problems, adding that he told "Luque to scare him [Maradona] with that, so he would stop drinking."
When asked by the court president, Alberto Gaig, whether only alcohol addiction made Maradona's health fragile, he replied that conversations about the former player's condition always revolved around that aspect.
Final Days
Pomargo recounted that in Maradona's final days, he told Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, also accused, that he saw the former player very swollen and depressed.
The secretary is one of several people close to Maradona, including his daughters, who noticed a strange inflammation days before his death.
"When I reported the inflammation, Luque told me it was because Diego spent a lot of time lying down," he added.
Cause of Death and Defendants
Maradona died of acute pulmonary edema, also suffering from acute chronic heart failure, according to the autopsy.
In addition to Luque and Cosachov, also being tried for simple homicide with eventual intent are:
- Nancy Forlini, Swiss Medical home care coordinator
- Pedro Di Spagna, clinician
- Mariano Perroni, nurse coordinator
- Ricardo Almirón, nurse
- Carlos Díaz, psychologist
Psychologist's Statement
Carlos Díaz presented a new statement on Thursday, stating that the professionals responsible for the former footballer's health did not accept the suggestions he proposed.
"My intentions, my suggestions, apparently were not well received," said Díaz, after displaying several messages in which doctors and people close to Maradona spoke about removing him from treatment.
In the revealed message exchanges, Luque and Pomargo mentioned the idea of "turning around" the psychologist, accusing him of exposing them to the Argentine's family.
An addiction specialist, Díaz reported that psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov rejected his "pharmacological suggestions," which included a medication capable of causing an unpleasant reaction when mixed with alcohol, to prevent Maradona from drinking.
When asked about the accusation of being part of an alleged plan to end the former player's life, he replied that his only plan was to offer an "abstinence-based treatment for Maradona."
"I could not have done anything different to prevent a cardiac condition; I don't have that kind of knowledge," he added.
Source
RecordWestern
Part of this Story
Trial Over Diego Maradona's Death Reveals Inadequate Home Care