Soccer: Maradona stops son from playing in ulster
Diego Maradona has blocked his son from playing at an international youth tournament in Northern Ireland.
No reason for the move has been given but organisers of the Milk Cup reject suggestions that sectarian clashes in recent days may have prompted it.
Diego Junior, 15, was due to arrive with his team-mates on the junior squad of Italian club, Napoli.
The five-day competition kicks off in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, on Monday.
The boy's mother signed consent forms allowing him to leave Italy but his World Cup-winning father, who played for Napoli at the peak of his own footballing career, did not.
The young player, the star attraction of the event, has now been replaced on the team, according to Milk Cup spokesman Jim Sandford.
He said: "It just seems to be about a domestic disagreement. It's a bit of a disappointment for us but the Milk Cup is about more than one player."
The Milk Cup was established in 1983 and has built up a reputation as the most prestigious schoolboy tournament in Europe.
This year's event, to be launched by former England International Peter Beardsley, has 52 teams from 19 countries playing for seven trophies over five days.
Players who have taken part in the Milk Cup in their youth include David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
