The Argentine justice system decided to bring to trial a case against two sisters of Diego Maradona, his former lawyer and four other people for alleged fraudulent administration of the trademark linked to the historic footballer who died in 2020.
The judicial process seeks to determine whether the defendants harmed the interests of Maradona’s five recognized children, considered his legitimate heirs.
Who will go to trial
Among the main defendants is Matías Morla, the former soccer player’s former lawyer, along with two of his assistants.
Rita and Claudia Maradona, sisters of the Argentine star, were also sent to trial, as well as a notary who was identified as collaborating in the investigated maneuver.
The accusation for the Diego Maradona brand
According to the investigation, in 2015 the company Sattvica SA was created to manage Maradona’s image rights and trademarks.
After the death of the former player in November 2020, the heirs demanded the transfer of the company. However, the case maintains that the shares would have been transferred between 2022 and 2023 in favor of Rita and Claudia Maradona, instead of passing to their children.
The complainants assure that the commercial exploitation of the brand continued without legitimate authorization until the justice system issued a precautionary measure to stop the operations.
Brand valued at 100 million dollars
According to the legal representation of one of the former soccer player’s daughters, an official appraisal set the estimated value of the Diego Maradona brand at around $100 million.
The brand includes international commercial agreements and rights linked to the name and image of the world champion.
In parallel, the trial for his death continues
The news coincides with the progress of the new judicial process investigating Maradona’s death in the courts of San Isidro, in the province of Buenos Aires.
This trial seeks to establish the responsibility of seven health professionals in the death of the Argentine idol.
