New Testimony Uncovers Shocking Claims: Maradona Sedated for 24 Hours at Doctors’ Orders

The courtroom is buzzing as tensions rise around the shocking events surrounding the late football icon Diego Maradona. This week, pivotal testimony has emerged, shedding light on critical medical decisions made during Maradona’s final days in the clinic.

Pressure in the Intensive Care Unit

Fernando Villarejo, the Chief of Intensive Care at the facility where Maradona underwent his last operation, revealed in court on Tuesday that he faced immense pressure to sedate the football legend for a full 24 hours during his hospitalization. Villarejo made it clear that he disagreed with this course of action.

“What they asked us to do was to sedate the patient,”

Fernando Villarejo

Maradona was admitted to Clinica Olivos from November 3 to 11, 2020, for surgery to treat a subdural hematoma. Villarejo stated, “It was a difficult meeting because I specifically refused. It seemed to me that it was not the place and I made it known.” Despite his reservations, Villarejo ultimately complied, sedating Maradona as part of a detoxification regimen using a central venous catheter, even in the face of the patient’s protests.

Rethinking Treatment Plans

Villarejo’s testimony highlighted the complexities of managing Maradona’s condition. He explained, “We had him sedated for 24 hours, but when a patient is sedated for withdrawal treatment, more than just 24 hours is needed.” After this period, he chose to lower the sedative dosage due to the lack of a definitive treatment strategy: “In the absence of a horizon, we decided to start using our own criteria and lower the dose of sedation.”

If something happened, it was my responsibility. To handle it more appropriately, a multidisciplinary team was needed.

Fernando Villarejo

Maradona’s behavior was described as “restless” and at times “unmanageable,” with the team attributing this to withdrawal issues. Villarejo raised eyebrows when discussing the contentious decision to continue Maradona’s care at home after his discharge, advocating instead for treatment in a dedicated rehabilitation center with a supportive multidisciplinary team.

The Ongoing Trial and its Implications

The trial revolves around a group of medical professionals, including Maradona’s personal physician Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov. Villarejo’s insights stand as a crucial part of the proceedings, which will determine the culpability of these individuals in a potentially tragic misadventure. If found guilty of simple homicide with eventual intent, they could face up to 25 years in prison.

In addition to Luque and Cosachov, the trial also includes psychologist Carlos Diaz, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, doctor Pedro Di Spagna, nurse coordinator Mariano Perroni, and nurse Ricardo Almiron. Nurse Gisela Madrid is also implicated but will face a separate jury trial.