Maradona 'needs psychiatric help'

Argentine former football star Diego Maradona may be moved to a psychiatric clinic to help him deal with his alcohol addiction, doctors have said.

The 46-year-old returned to a Buenos Aires hospital with abdominal pains last Friday - just 48 hours after he was released following a 10-day stay.

He has been treated for acute toxic hepatitis related to alcohol abuse.

Maradona, who led the Argentine team to victory in the 1986 World Cup, has battled cocaine addiction and obesity.

His personal doctor, Alfredo Cahe, said doctors had persuaded Maradona to undergo alcohol abuse rehabilitation at a psychiatric treatment centre.

Speaking on Argentine radio, he said: "Diego is becoming aware of how serious what has happened to him is. We've told him everything.

"He didn't have any idea how the alcohol had affected him, beyond the severe abdominal pains... that he blacked out, that he was in shock, the vomiting."

History of addiction

Dr Cahe has said Maradona will probably need treatment for alcoholism for the rest of his life.

According to media reports, Maradona would be taken to the Abril clinic which specialises in treating addictions, possibly early next week.

The former Argentine team captain is still idolised in his home country, and his fans have been watching and waiting for news.

In 1991 he was banned from playing football for 15 months after failing a drugs test. He tested positive again for banned drugs at the 1994 World Cup in the US.

He retired from competitive sport in 1997. In 2000, and again in 2004, he collapsed with heart problems and was taken to hospital.

Two years ago, he had a stomach stapling operation. He lost 30kg (66lb) and began playing football again.

But recently, Argentine media reported he had put on weight and was considering another slimming cure.

In March, Argentina's central bank said it was investigating him for alleged financial irregularities.

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Picture Maradona shrine

A bit exaggerated if u ask me. An Italian Maradona fan makes adjustments to a shrine for the Argentine player, who is ill in Buenos Aires.

Maradona is admitted to hospital

Over here they bring that big obviously:

"Former football star Diego Maradona, 46, has been taken to hospital in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.

Maradona, who led his team to victory in the 1986 World Cup and is revered in his country, has suffered from health problems in the past.

He has battled both his weight and an addiction to cocaine. He has also been in hospital twice with heart problems.

No reason was given for his admission, but the hospital said it was "not linked to his addiction to drugs".

The statement issued by the Guemes hospital said Maradona was suffering from "an imbalance" and was undergoing tests.

"He's staying, he's staying... his life is not in danger," said his personal doctor Aldredo Cahe, speaking outside the hospital.

His two daughters, Dalma and Giannina, were seen arriving at the hospital a few minutes after he was admitted.

Families of patients on the 13th floor of the hospital were asked to leave and police and security guards were brought in to control the area.

Maradona is still revered in Argentina and his fans will be watching and waiting for any news of their idol, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.

Ill-health

Maradona led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, and won league titles at home and in Italy.

But in 1991, he was banned for 15 months after failing a drugs test and tested positive again for banned drugs at the 1994 World Cup in the US.

He retired from competitive sport in 1997. In 2004, he spent 10 days in intensive care with high blood pressure, breathing problems and a lung infection.

Two years ago, he had a stomach stapling operation. He lost 30kg (66lb), began playing football again and appeared to be getting his life back on track.

But the Argentine media reported at the weekend that Maradona had put on weight and was considering taking a slimming cure in Switzerland.

Earlier this month, Argentina's central bank said it was investigating him for alleged financial irregularities."

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