Judge Julieta Makintach removed for ethical breaches, sparking a mistrial in negligence case against Diego Maradona’s doctors over his 2020 death.
Argentine judge has been dismissed from her post after causing a mistrial in the high-profile case against the medical team responsible for Diego Maradona’s death in 2020.
Julieta Makintach, 48, was one of three judges overseeing the trial of seven medical professionals accused of negligence in caring for Maradona following brain surgery for a blood clot. The football legend, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest players, died aged 60 of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema two weeks after the procedure.
Makintach recused herself after it emerged she had participated in interviews for a miniseries about the case, raising questions of ethics violations. Despite her recusal, the trial was annulled after two months of proceedings and testimony from 40 witnesses, including Maradona’s daughters.
On Tuesday November 18, 2025, a special panel composed of judges, lawyers, and provincial legislators formally removed Makintach from office and barred her from holding any future judicial position. The panel found her guilty of negligence, dereliction of duty, breach of confidentiality, and abuse of power.
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The controversy centers on footage of Makintach allegedly being interviewed by a film crew the day before the trial began. Prosecutors argued she abused state resources to promote a documentary project for personal gain. Makintach denied authorizing the filming and claimed she was unaware it would be used for a documentary, apologizing to Maradona’s family for her “mistake.”
“This was never my intention,” she told the panel. “I apologize a thousand times to the family for failing to achieve what I wanted most, which was to deliver justice.”
The documentary trailer, entitled Divine Justice, reportedly showed Makintach moving through court corridors in high heels as details of Maradona’s final days were discussed. The footage, some of which appeared to include unauthorized court recordings, sparked public outrage and accusations that Argentina’s judicial system had been ridiculed.
Maradona’s medical team faces charges of “homicide with possible intent” and could face prison terms ranging from eight to 25 years if convicted. Prosecutors allege the football icon was left with minimal supervision and inadequate medical equipment during his convalescence at home, resulting in prolonged suffering before his death.
A new trial has been scheduled for March 17, 2026, under a fresh panel of three judges, as the case continues to draw international attention for its legal and ethical implications.