Italian tax police took Argentina coach Diego Maradona’s earrings on Friday as part payment for his unpaid tax bill from when he played for Napoli in the 1980s.
The command office of the Bolzano Provincial Tax Police said Maradona handed over the pair of earrings, worth 4,000 euros (US$5,900).
They did not say if he was wearing them when they met him at the Grand Hotel Palace in Merano, which boasts an exclusive beauty farm in its grounds.
PHOTO: AFP
The tax police in the capital of the South Tyrol, or Alto Adige region, declined to describe the earrings, but Italian network Sky TG24 reported they contained diamonds.
Maradona played for Napoli from 1984 to 1991, helping the club win its only two Serie A championships, the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that Maradona’s tax bill stood at 37 million euros.
It was not the first time Maradona has surrendered some of his jewelry when visiting in Italy.
Three years ago, tax police took two Rolex watches from him when he went to a Naples suburb for a news conference and benefit appearance.
Bolzano police described Maradona as a regular visitor of the Italian Alpine region’s resorts.
Maradona, 48, and overweight, came to the hotel beauty farm to be treated for weight gain and stress, according to his doctor.
This week, Maradona’s personal physician dismissed speculation that his client was being treated for drug use.
His departure from Argentina, after damaging losses to Brazil and Paraguay in World Cup qualifying, had prompted immediate speculation about his widely reported battle with drugs.
With two qualifiers remaining next month, Argentina is in danger of missing its first World Cup since 1970, and Maradona is taking much of the blame.
Carlos Alcaraz on Monday powered into the French Open second round with a resounding win to start his title defense, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and three-time defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also progressed at Roland Garros. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and is to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two. Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic. “The first round is never
FRUSTRATION: Alcaraz made several unforced errors over four sets against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who had never made it past the third round in a major competition Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the fourth round of the French Open after laboring past Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the Friday night session. The second-seeded Spaniard had never before played Dzumhur, a 33-year-old Bosnian who had never been past the third round at any major tournament. “I suffered quite a lot today,” Alcaraz said. “The first two sets was under control, then he started to play more deeply and more aggressively. It was really difficult for me.” Dzumhur hurt his left knee in a fall in the second round, and had treatment on Friday on his right leg during the
SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte has dragged the team back from disaster and restored them to the top of Italian Serie A, but his future at the Scudetto winners is in doubt even after a triumphant season. The fiery 55-year-old has exceeded preseason expectations and bolstered his reputation as a serial winner by guiding Napoli to their fourth Scudetto, and second in three seasons. However, he might well be on his way in the summer after just one season at the helm as his charged relationship with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has simmered throughout the campaign. Conte has said
The horn sounded on Wednesday night to signal a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final, as the Florida Panthers celebrated merely by hopping over the boards and several heading over to congratulate goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. It was a subdued celebration seemingly more befitting a regular-season win for the reigning Cup champs. “I remember a few years ago, it felt like such an accomplishment from where we were at one point,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said, adding: “It’s all business and we’ve got a bigger goal in mind.” The Panthers closed out the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, with a 5-3 victory in
RSS