Eight face homicide charges following death of Argentina legend Maradona in 2020

One of football's most colourful characters sadly died in November 2020 at the age of 60.

Maradona had battled numerous health problems in the years before his death. He underwent surgery for a subdural haematoma a few weeks prior and died following a cardiac arrest.

Prosecutors now claim his death was as a result of 'omissions' by his caregivers.

In the 236-page document seen by Reuters, a judge has questioned 'the behaviours - active or by omission - of each of the accused which led to and contributed to the realisation of the harmful result'.

The ruling says that eight people, which include doctors, nurses and a psychologist, who cared for Maradona at the time of his death in November 2020 are culpable of 'simple homicide' - a charge that means taking life with intent.

The charge carries between eight and 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors started investigating the circumstances of the former Barcelona and Napoli star's death and raided a number of properties to gather evidence.

The defendants named in the ruling were Maradona's neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, nurses Gisella Madrid, and Ricardo Almiron, their boss Mariano Perroni, and doctors Pedro Di Spagna and Nancy Forlini.

They have all denied responsibility for Maradona's death and lawyers for some have requested their cases be dismissed.