Rome, Sep 19 (ANI): Beleaguered football legend Diego Maradona had to hand over his diamond studs to police as part payment for the millions he owes the Italian tax authorities.
Italian officials paid the holidaying Argentinean coach a visit at the luxury hotel he was staying in and seized the earrings worth nearly 4,000 pounds, Sky News reports.
Police claimed that Maradona still owes some 20 million pounds, dating back to his seven-year stint at the Italian club Napoli, where he frequently failed to pay income tax.
After fleeing Buenos Aires on Monday following Argentina’s four defeats in five matches of 2010 World Cup qualifier, Maradona, 48, is currently staying at a spa in the town of Merano in north-eastern Italy, where he is trying to lose weight.
Italian authorities had seized two of his Rolex watches worth 11,000 pounds in 2006, when he was staying near Naples.
In 2005, they seized the money he was to receive for taking part in a TV dancing show.
Four years earlier, he was met by 20 police officers as he got off a plane in Rome.
Italy’s Supreme Court ordered the ex-footballer to pay 36 million euros in unpaid taxes.
According to the association of Italian taxpayers, Maradona still has 22.4 million euros to pay.
Recently, Brazilian legend Pele took a blow at Maradona, saying he feels another Argentine-born player, Alfredo di Stefano, is the best player ever.
“Maradona was a great player, but he could not kick with his right foot and did not score goals with his head.
The only time he scored an important goal with his head, it turned out he had used his hand,” Pele said referring to Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986 World Cup. (ANI)
Warne to enter Sports Australia Hall of Fame in October
London, Aug.12 (ANI): Australian spin legend Shane Warne was thrilled yesterday when he was told that he would be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in October.
“That’s fantastic news. It will be an absolute honour and privilege to join so many great Australian sportsmen and women in the Hall of Fame. So many of my sporting heroes are already in the Hall of Fame. Cricketers like Dennis Lillee and Ian Chappell were my boyhood heroes. It will be an honour to join them,” said Warne, who is widely acknowledged as one of cricket’s all-time greats.
As one of Wisden’s five best cricketers of the 20th century, he doesn’t need any more endorsements to affirm his status in the game.
“I am really looking forward to the night. Glenn McGrath and myself were lucky enough to receive the Don Award last year and it was a superb night to be there with the who’s who of Australian sport,” Warne added.
Warne has received rave reviews for his commentary on the Ashes series, but said he had no plans for a full-time career behind the microphone.
“I have really enjoyed the experience. Sky has been great to work for. I have had a fabulous time working with David “Bumble” Lloyd. He’s a lot of fun,” Warne said.
Warne said he would again work for Channel 9 during the Australian summer, but scoffed at the suggestion he might be the next Richie Benaud.
“There’s only one Richie,” he said.
Warne will be one of eight champions to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at its 25th anniversary dinner.
Two existing members will be elevated to Legend status, joining the likes of Greg Norman, Rod Laver, Dawn Fraser and Bart Cummings.
In addition to the Warne announcement, Hall of Fame chairman and yachting great John Bertrand yesterday revealed a major coup in a tough economic environment, welcoming Etihad Airways as Sport Australia’s major sponsor. (ANI)