Animal MX. · July 14, 2026
Lead lawyers in Diego Maradona’s death trial were on the verge of physical violence on Tuesday in an episode that prompted judges to suspend proceedings and threaten to remove them from the trial in Argentina.
The incident occurred during witness testimony in the trial that impeached the medical team that treated Maradona during his home confinement before his death in 2020.
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The hearing had to be suspended for a moment while opponents left the room to continue their fight. Facing each other inches apart in the center of a circle of lawyers, police officers and journalists, the lawyers shouted insults at each other.
– Here I am, what are you going to do? Fernando Burlando, the representative of Maradona’s two daughters, Fernando Burlando, criticized Francisco Oneto, the defense lawyer for the main accused. “Damn clown,” his colleague replied angrily. “You’re a fool,” Burlando responded.
One of the prosecutors and a police officer intervened and managed to move about ten meters away from Oneto without being physically attacked.
The confrontation began in the courtroom when Burlando mocked Oneto during a discussion between both lawyers.
“They yell at you everywhere, even in your house,” Burlando said. “What do you know about what’s going on in my house, disrespect? Tell me outside,” Oneto replied, quickly standing up and heading to his colleague’s desk.
This rivalry is a constant in a process that began in April and will continue until at least the end of August.
Maradona died aged 60 at a house in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, on November 25, 2020, from pulmonary edema and cardiovascular arrest while recovering from neurosurgery.
The trial, taking place in San Isidro, near Tigre, is examining whether the former footballer received adequate care from seven members of his medical team, who face charges of murder with possible premeditation, meaning they knew their actions or inactions could lead to the former footballer’s death.
They all protest their innocence.
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