One of the trial's three judges has stepped down after it emerged she has been involved in a documentary about the case, potentially violating ethics and impartiality laws.
Maradona is revered in Argentina for leading the national team to World Cup glory in 1986 [FILE: December 20, 2022]Image: Agustin Marcarian/REUTERS
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The trial of health care workers who treated late Argentine footballer Diego Maradona shortly before his death could be thrown out after a key judge stepped down Tuesday.
Julieta Makintach recused herself after it was revealed that she has been taking part in a documentary about the high-profile case.
The case was adjourned last week after a series of police raids which led to Makintach, 47, being accused on Tuesday of violating impartiality rules, of influence peddling and bribery over her role in the "Divine Justice" miniseries.
The prosecution and the defense supported Makintach's removal from the case Image: Gustavo Garello/AP/dpa/picture alliance
Why is the judge stepping down?
In court on Tuesday, a trailer for the documentary was played which said it would follow Makintach as she "reconstructs the death of Maradona and certain painful milestones of his life related to abandonment."
Some of the footage appeared to feature recordings allegedly made from inside the courtroom, which would be a violation of court rules.
During the tense exchanges, prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Makintach of "behaving like an actress and not a judge."
The two remaining judges, Maximiliano Savarino and Veronica Di Tomasso, are expected to announce on Thursday whether the trial will proceed or a if new trial will be ordered.
What is the trial about?
Diego Maradona, considered one of the world's best ever players who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, died in November 2020 of a cardiac arrest aged 60 while he was recovering at home from brain surgery for a blood clot.
He had spent years battling cocaine and alcohol addictions.
The defendants, who all deny the charges, face between eight and 25 years in prison if found guilty.
Diego Maradona: Sports world pays tribute to soccer legend
Game-day tributes and commemorations for one of football's greatest-ever stars have taken place in stadiums around the world. Athletes paid their respects in a myriad of ways, albeit from stadiums without fans.
Image: Thibault Camus/AP/dpa/picture alliance
World mourns the loss of a legend
On the first weekend following Diego Maradona's death, athletes from around the world paid tribute to football's legendary Number 10. The Argentine died on November 25 from a heart attack at the age of 60. The commemorations, which took place mostly in empty stadiums, lost none of their emotional poignancy.
Image: Ciro Fusco/ANSA/picture alliance
Respect on the field
The methods of remembering one of soccer's all-time greats varied from stadium to stadium. Teams from England's Premier League held a minute's applause while some also wore a black armband as a show of mourning. Manchester City and Burnley players clapped as they watched a video of Maradona's two famous goals which knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup.
Image: John Patrick Fletcher/picture alliance
Under Maradona's gaze
Players from French top teams Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain held a minute's silence while standing in the formation of the letter "M." Both clubs also hung banners saying "Adios." The Argentine ambassador to France, Leonardo Constantino, unfurled his country's national flag from the Parc des Princes stadium.
Image: Thibault Camus/AP/dpa/picture alliance
'Ciao Diego'
Players held a minute's silence in Germany and other European countries, too — with Maradona's jersey on display during a Borussia Dortmund match. Maradona played for teams in Italy and Spain, notably Naples and Barcelona. Italian players also wore black armbands while stadiums projected Maradona's face on screens during the 10th minute of the game in recognition of his shirt number.
Image: Martin Meissner/AP Photo/picture alliance
'Hand of God'
Maradona was among the cutout fans in the stands at Portman Road Stadium. He scored two goals against England in the 1982 World Cup in Mexico. One is famously known as the "Hand of God" after the Argentine's hand knocked the ball into the net — a foul that went unpenalized. The other went down as FIFA's goal of the century. The football star was beloved for his dominance and flair on the field.
Image: Steven Paston/empics/picture alliance
A loss felt beyond football
The tributes weren't limited to football matches. Before their Tri-Nations game against Argentina, the New Zealand Rugby team laid an All Blacks shirt with Maradona's name and famous number 10 printed on it in the middle of the field. Argentine players nodded in recognition of the commemorative act.
Image: Rick Rycroft/AP Photo/picture alliance
A fitting farewell
Kylian MBappe of Paris Saint-Germain donned a special T-shirt with the soccer legend's face and the words "Rest in peace" in Spanish. Sevilla football club in Spain appeared at their match on Saturday wearing reproductions of the shirts from the season when Maradona played there, with all the players sporting the number 10 during the minute's silence.
