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Maradona's former doctor declares innocence in death trial, citing love for the football icon
via SeneNews3 min read
Leopoldo Luque, Diego Maradona's former personal neurosurgeon, declared his innocence and expressed deep regret over Maradona's death during his testimony in the trial concerning the football star's 2020 passing. Luque, one of seven healthcare professionals on trial for "homicide with eventual intent" due to alleged negligence, stated, "I cared a lot for him, I loved him, he was my idol and my friend." Maradona died at 60 from cardiorespiratory arrest and pulmonary edema while recovering from neurosurgery for a head hematoma. The prosecution claims Maradona's convalescence was "cruel, summary, deprived of everything" and that the medical team ignored warnings, abandoning him. Luque, however, maintained that Maradona's death was natural and inevitable, citing an autopsy diagnosis of chronic heart failure exacerbated by lack of treatment and associated with toxic substances. He disputed the 12-hour agony scenario presented by forensic doctors, suggesting the pulmonary edema could have resulted from attempts to resuscitate a corpse. Luque clarified his role as a neurosurgeon, not a clinical doctor or psychiatrist, and noted he was not Maradona's doctor when the star stopped receiving cardiac treatment in 2007. He also addressed his close relationship with Maradona, explaining he often visited him as a friend. While acknowledging that home convalescence was the "only option" given the family's refusal to forcibly institutionalize Maradona, Luque distanced himself from the decisio
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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Saïd Tarraf, a Senegalese-Lebanese industrialist and the leader of Groupe Tarraf, died this Friday morning after a prolonged illness. His body will be removed on Sunday at 9 AM from the Principal Hospital morgue, followed by his burial in Yoff. Saïd Tarraf inherited an empire established in the 1970s by his father, Jamil Tarraf. He took over the family business with his brothers Fouad and Adel, eventually becoming its primary driving force. Under his leadership, Groupe Tarraf became one of Senegal's most significant agro-industrial conglomerates, encompassing approximately fifteen commercial, industrial, and real estate companies. He was widely recognized for popular brands such as Jumbo cubes from Cosepral, Mapal pasta, products from Laiterie Dakaroise, and Senbiscuits. The group also served as a concessionaire for major international brands including Unilever, Lipton, and Dove. In recent years, due to his illness, Saïd Tarraf gradually transferred leadership to his daughter, Alia, who was educated in Canada and took over the group's management. He leaves behind an industrial legacy that has influenced generations of Senegalese consumers and a family, with the condolences of the entire business community.
Former Everton player and Premier League champion Gareth Barry has advised Everton to prioritize keeping Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye content at the club. Barry, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, highlighted Ndiaye's growing impact on Everton's gameplay, describing him as a rare type of player who naturally attracts interest. He emphasized that such players are difficult to replace, especially for clubs not participating in the Champions League. Barry stated that if he were the club, he would do everything to keep Ndiaye happy, expressing confidence that the club is attentive to his situation and that Ndiaye seems to be enjoying his football.
Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye, in an interview with L'Équipe, discussed the controversial AFCON final against the Moroccan football team, stating that the Senegal football team remains, in his view, the true champion of Africa. Despite the Confederation of African Football's decision to declare Senegal the loser by forfeit, pending arbitration from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the player insisted that "victory was decided on the field." He maintained that the match had resumed after its interruption and that all conditions were met to complete the game. Addressing the medal controversy, Pape Gueye clarified Idrissa Gana Gueye's remarks, describing them as ironic. He emphasized, "I am not ready to return my medal," convinced of the legitimacy of Senegal's triumph. The player also praised Sadio Mané's crucial role during the tense moment, stating that the forward encouraged his teammates to return to the field and continue the match "like men," a decision that he believes led to the Lions' victorious outcome. This media statement reopens a case that is far from closed, awaiting the final decision from sports authorities.