Maradona ‘wasn’t taken to hospital despite falling over and hitting his head days before his death’

Diego Maradona reportedly fell over and hit his head a week before he died from a heart attack but was never taken to the hospital despite suffering an injury.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica claim that Maradona, who had only recently had surgery on his brain to remove a blood clot, was not taken for a scan after falling and hitting his head at home. 

A lawyer representing a nurse who worked for Maradona is reported to have said: ‘Maradona fell to the ground seven days before his death. He fell and hit his head but they didn’t take him to the hospital for an MRI or a CT scan.’

Diego Maradona’s death is being treated as possible manslaughter and police have raided the home of his personal doctor Leopoldo Luque (pictured together) 

Neurologist Luque, Maradona’s former personal doctor, furiously denied any wrongdoing after police launched an investigation into his death

The Argentine Police carry items during a break-in to collect evidence at Luque’s office

The shocking revelation comes as Maradona’s personal doctor Leopoldo Luque is being probed over medical negligence as police launch an investigation into the footballing legend’s death. 

The same report has also confirmed speculation from media in Argentina that Maradona was alone in his house in Buenos Aires when he died from a heart attack aged 60.

According to a preliminary autopsy report, Maradona died from ‘acute lung edema and chronic heart failure’. He died in his sleep while he was resting at home last Wednesday.

The same nurse’s lawyer has also said that she had spoken with Maradona on the Friday before his death but was fired on the Saturday.

Maradona wasn’t taken to hospital despite falling over and hitting his head days before he died

She remained at the request of Maradona’s entourage to administer his medication but was no longer taking his blood pressure or controlling him, according to her lawyer.

On Sunday, police raided the home of Maradona’s physician Luque and investigators are looking into all the medical staff involved with his care after his daughters Dalma and Giannina gave statements questioning whether the medication their father was receiving was appropriate.

Repubblica are also reporting that documents have emerged showing that Dr Cosachov had requested 24-hour specialist and nursing assistance for the former Argentina star before his death but Luque had not arranged for that to happen. 

However, on Monday Luque mounted an emotional defence of his treatment of the football legend after it was reported that he was under investigation for involuntary manslaughter – and insisted that Maradona was ‘unmanageable’ and should have been sent to rehab.

Luque told reporters on Monday Maradona was ‘unmanageable’ and should’ve been in rehab

Maradona was one of the most gifted sportsmen of all time, almost single-handedly inspiring Argentina to win the World Cup in Mexico in 1986

He said: ‘I was shocked when police turned up at my door. I’m going to co-operate fully.

‘I know what I did and what I did was for Diego’s benefit until the last moment. I did the best I could.

‘I feel terrible because a friend died. I don’t blame myself for anything. It’s very unfair what’s happening.

‘I didn’t see Diego’s daughters a lot but the rest of his family, his siblings and his nephews adore me.

‘Someone is trying to find a scapegoat here when I don’t see one anywhere.

‘We all did the best we could with Diego.’ 

His coffin, draped in an Argentinian flag, was carried by his family and friends at his funeral at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery, in Buenos Aires last Thursday