Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Sport
Nicolás Misculin

'Justice for Diego': Argentines march seeking answers over Maradona's death

Fans of late Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona attend a protest to demand justice after the death of the idol, at the Buenos Aires' Obelisk, Argentina March 10, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Argentines took to the streets on Wednesday to demand what they say is justice for Diego Maradona after the soccer icon's death in November sparked investigations into how he died and whether there had been any negligence in his care.

"He did not die, they killed him!," the organizers of the demonstration said in materials sent out on social media prior to the march. "Justice for Diego. Trial and punishment of the guilty."

A fan of late Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona shows a tattoo of him, during a protest to demand justice after the death of the idol, at the Buenos Aires' Obelisk, Argentina March 10, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

The march kicked off at the emblematic Obelisco monument in central Buenos Aires, where protesters waved flags and sang songs in homage to Maradona, choking the streets around rush hour in the country's capital.

Maradona's ex-wife, Claudia Villafane, and two of his daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, led the early evening rally, with signs calling for social and legal justice in the case.

Maradona, a World Cup winner with Argentina who is regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, attained almost godlike status in his home country despite long battles with drug and alcohol addiction and poor health.

FILE PHOTO: Gabriela Pereyra, Paula Soto, ad Gonzalo Lopez Lluch, members of the cultural organisation Comando Maradona, prepare a mosaic as a homage to late Argentine soccer superstar Diego Armado Maradona, at their workshop, in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 24, 2021. Picture taken February 24, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian REFILE - CORRECTING ORGANISATION SPELLING/File Photo

A medical board, at the request of the justice department, met on Monday to analyze Maradona's death. The idol, who won the 1986 World Cup, had serious health problems and was recovering from brain surgery when he died in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.

Investigators are looking at whether members of Maradona's medical team did not adequately treat the former soccer star, who played for teams around the world including Napoli, Barcelona and Boca Juniors.

(Reporting by Nicolas Misculin; writing by Dave Sherwood, Editing by Adam Jourdan, Steve Orlofsky and Toby Davis)

FILE PHOTO: A man walks past a mosaic made by the cultural organisation Comando Maradona as a homage to late Argentine soccer superstar Diego Armado Maradona, in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 25, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian REFILE - CORRECTING ORGANISATION SPELLING/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A mosaic depicting late Argentine soccer superstar Diego Armado Maradona, made by the cultural organisation Comando Maradona as a homage, is seen in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 24, 2021. Picture taken February 24, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.