A new chapter in the tragic saga surrounding Diego Maradona's death unfolds this week, as a second criminal trial begins in Argentina. The legal proceedings, which were voided last year due to a judicial scandal, have been restarted, refocusing attention on the final days of the soccer icon.

Seven medical professionals—four doctors, two nurses, and a psychologist—stand accused of negligent homicide. Prosecutors allege their inadequate care during Maradona's home hospitalization in November 2020 contributed to the pulmonary edema and heart failure that claimed his life at age 60, just weeks after brain surgery. If convicted, they face potential prison sentences of 8 to 25 years.

The path to this retrial has been fraught with controversy. The original proceedings were annulled after the presiding judge authorized an unauthorized documentary film to be shot inside the courthouse, a scandal that invalidated over 20 hearings and the testimony of more than 40 witnesses.

Now, a newly appointed three-judge panel will oversee the case, with an estimated 100 witnesses expected to testify in hearings scheduled twice weekly over several months. The defense is poised to argue that Maradona's death, stemming from a cardiac event, was unavoidable due to his complex pre-existing health conditions, noting that none of the accused specialized in cardiology.

For fans worldwide, the trial reopens painful questions about the care afforded to one of football's most legendary and tumultuous figures, whose legacy on the pitch remains eternally intertwined with his struggles off it.