Maradona released after airport arrest
Diego Maradona has been released after being arrested by police at Rio de Janeiro airport today for causing a disturbance after missing his flight to Buenos Aires.
Police told Radio CBN in Brazil they intended to conduct an alcohol test on Argentina’s 1986 World Cup hero.
Maradona, vice-president of Boca Juniors, found himself in trouble after “losing his cool” over failing to make his plane back home, an agent reported.
Maradona was in Brazil to take part in a charity match yesterday with former Brazil Zico, who is now coach of Japan.
According to CBN Maradona had already ruffled feathers when announcing just before kick-off for the game in aid of Rio’s poor children that he wouldn’t be playing.
He finally turned up surrounded by a posse of bodyguards for the fixture at Zico’s football school which ended 4-4.
Maradona, 45, agreed to pay for a door damaged in the confrontation and was then freed, allowing him to leave Brazil, a spokeswoman for the federal police said.
