New trial over Maradona's death begins in Argentina

San Isidro, Argentina: A new trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona began Tuesday in Argentina, 10 months after a scandal involving a judge caused the first trial to collapse.

Maradona, considered one of the world's greatest players, died in November 2020 at the age of 60 while recovering from surgery for a brain clot.

His seven-strong medical team is accused of gross negligence causing his death over the conditions of his home convalescence. fish-roadgame.online

Dalma Maradona (2-R) and Gianinna Maradona (2-L), daughters of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona and his former partner, Veronica Ojeda (R), are seen at a courthouse during a preliminary hearing in a trial over his death in San Isidro, outskirts of Buenos Aires on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Tomas CUESTA / AFP)

He died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema -- a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs -- two weeks after going under the knife and enduring hours of agony, according to forensic experts.

الأخباروزير الداخلية: نشيد بالجهود الأمنية والتنظيمية بالنهائيأشاد سعادة الشيخ خليفة بن حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني وزير الداخلية وقائد قوة الأمن الداخلي «لخويا»، بالجهود الأمنية والتنظيمية خلال مباراة فريقي السد والغرافة بنهائي كأس سمو الأمير لك...فتح →

Two months into the first trial last year, after hours of sometimes tearful testimony from witnesses, including Maradona's children, the proceedings were thrown into flux by revelations involving one of the three judges.

The judge, Julieta Makintach, was discovered to have taken part in a clandestine documentary about the case, which contained unauthorized recordings made inside the courtroom.

Judges Alberto Ortolani (L), Alberto Gaig (C) and Pablo Rolon (L) are seen at a courthouse during a preliminary hearing in a trial over Argentine football legend Diego Maradona's death in San Isidro, outskirts of Buenos Aires on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Tomas CUESTA / AFP)

The trial was annulled over the scandal.

The new trial, which will hear from some 120 witnesses, will again seek to determine if Maradona's medical team is responsible for his death.

Maradona's daughters, Dalma, Gianinna, and Jana, as well as his former partner Veronica Ojeda, were present in the packed courtroom in the northern Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro for the opening of the proceedings.

Defense lawyer Francisco Oneto asked that the entire trial be broadcast live on television, instead of merely the first day and day of the verdict as currently planned.

The accused doctors, psychologists and nurses are accused of homicide with possible intent -- pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to death -- over the decisions they made regarding Maradona's care.

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona's fans remain outside a courthouse during a preliminary hearing in a trial over his death in San Isidro, outskirts of Buenos Aires on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Tomas CUESTA / AFP)

They risk prison terms of between eight and 25 years if convicted.

The defense maintains the larger-than-life Argentine died of natural causes.

"If there's one thing that has been ruled out, it's a malicious criminal plan to kill Maradona," Vadim Mischanchuk, lawyer for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, told Radio Con Vos at the weekend.

The trial is expected to last until July at the earliest.

The passing of the star of the 1986 World Cup plunged Argentina into mourning in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tens of thousands of people queued to bid farewell to the former Boca Juniors and Napoli striker as his body lay in state at the presidential palace.

ذكرت بعض التقارير الإعلامية، أن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، يدرس فكرة تنظيم ملحق استثنائي، في حال قرر الاتحاد الإيراني لكرة القدم الانسحاب من نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا، المكسيك، خلال الفترة ما بين 11 يونيو و19 يوليو. وبعد فشل التأهل عبر التصفيات، أوضحت تقارير إعلامية أن “منتخب إيطاليا قد يكون أمام طريق درامي للعودة إلى المونديال، إذ يدرس الاتحاد الدولي خطة طوارئ تتضمن إقامة ملحق قاري في حال حدوث انسحاب محتمل لإيران”. وأوضحت المصادر ذاتها، أن الفيفا يناقش إمكانية تنظيم ملحق استثنائي يضم منتخبين من آسيا ومثلهما من أوروبا إذا انسحبت إيران من البطولة، موضحة أن هذا الاقتراح غير مؤكد وهو فقط مجرد خطة استباقية وليس بصيغة معتمدة أو رسمية. وتبقى مشاركة منتخب إيران في كأس العالم 2026 محاطة بشكوك، بسبب خلافات سياسية مع الولايات المتحدة والتي تحتضن مباريات المنتخب الإيراني خلال مرحلة المجموعات أمام بلجيكا ونيوزيلندا ومصر.

Doha: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) Refereeing Department announced the conclusion of its third internal course for new referees for the 2025-2026 season. The course was held as part of QFA's strategic plans to develop Qatari refereeing personnel and nurture promising talent.

Sixteen male and one female referee took the exams after completing a comprehensive program that included theoretical aspects, supervised by a select group of refereeing experts.

At the end of the course, final exams were administered, and certificates were awarded to those who passed, paving the way for their official entry into the refereeing profession and their participation in managing local competitions in the coming period.

Vice Chairman of the Referees Committee and Supervisor of Youth Categories Jassim Mohammed Al Hail affirmed that the success of this course reflects the QFA's commitment to preparing a new generation of qualified referees according to the highest technical standards.

He added that they are continuously working to provide an appropriate environment to develop referees' capabilities, contributing to raising the level of officiating in local competitions and supporting the presence of Qatari referees in regional and international forums.

The courses were described as a cornerstone for the future of refereeing, with expectations that participants will demonstrate their abilities in managing matches in the coming period.

Doha, Qatar: Following a 0-2 defeat to 10-man Qatar SC in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday, Al Shamal lodged a formal complaint with the Qatar Football Association (QFA), alleging that the opposition fielded an ineligible player.

The result at Al Bayt Stadium dealt a major blow to Al Shamal’s quest for a maiden title, with the appeal now carrying significant implications ahead of the final round on April 28.

With 42 points, Al Sadd are five clear of Al Shamal, with both sides set to meet on the final matchday.

A ruling on Al Shamal’s appeal could confirm a record-extending 19th QSL title for Al Sadd, who were in action against Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 yesterday.

It was another disappointing night for David Prats’ Al Shamal, who followed their defeat to Al Shahania with a performance defined by early errors and missed opportunities as Qatar SC capitalised on defensive lapses.

A loose clearance from Jeison Ceron off a Joao Pedro long ball fell to Ahmed Al Rawi, who opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Eleven minutes later, goalkeeper Babacar Seck miscontrolled a routine pass, allowing Pedro to double the lead.

Al Shamal responded through Baghdad Bounedjah but lacked precision in the final third, with Qatar SC goalkeeper Ali Nader producing a series of important saves.

The match turned before half-time when Qatar SC were reduced to ten men after Ali Saoudi was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Bounedjah in stoppage time.

Al Shamal pushed forward after the restart. Naim Sliti struck the crossbar, but the breakthrough never came as Nader remained solid throughout.

The result has since been formally challenged by Al Shamal, who confirmed they have lodged an official protest with the Qatar Football Association.

In a club statement, Al Shamal said they are “protesting Qatar SC’s fielding of professional player Franco Russo instead of Ahmed Al Rawi following the expulsion of Ali Saoudi due to a red card received in today’s match,” a rescheduled fixture from the 17th round of the QSL.

The club added that the protest is based on Article 15 of the competition regulations governing player eligibility and matchday squad composition following dismissals.

Al Shamal stated that the regulations “stipulate that if one of the six foreign professional players on the field is sent off or receives a red card, a Qatari/resident player cannot be substituted by a foreign professional player, and the team must continue with five foreign professionals on the field.”

The QFA ation is expected to review the complaint before issuing a ruling that could have implications for the final standings, with the title race awaiting final mathematical and disciplinary confirmation.

In another postponed match yesterday, relegation-threatened Al Sailiya edged Al Arabi 2-1 at Al Thumama Stadium.

Anwar El Ghazi put Al Sailiya ahead in the fifth minute before Younes Belhanda doubled the lead in the 20th minute. Rodri reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, but Al Sailiya held firm to secure a vital win.

The result lifted Al Sailiya to 22 points, moving them clear of the bottom as they now lead Umm Salal and Al Shahania by two points.

Al Arabi remain on 32 points, three behind Al Rayyan, Qatar SC and Al Gharafa in a battle for a top-four finish.