RIOTS and bloodshed broke out at Diego Maradona’s funeral in Buenos Aires as thousands lined the streets to see his coffin.
His heartbroken fans lined streets of the Argentine on Thursday as his coffin was taken out from the Casa Rosada government house to be laid to rest in the outskirts of the city, where his parents are also buried.
Some mourners clashed with police in the Argentinian capital as emotions ran high.
And one funeral worker invoked fury by taking a selfie with the former World Cup winner’s coffin.
Maradona died on Wednesday from a heart attack at the age of 60 just hours after telling his family he was feeling unwell.
The football legend passed away at his home in Buenos Aires two weeks after being released from hospital for a bleed on his brain.
Maradona came down for breakfast on Wednesday morning looking pale and complaining about feeling cold. He told his nephew that he felt sick before returning to bed where he was later found dead by a nurse.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates on Maradona’s death
BARCA MOURNS
A moment of reflection was dedicated to former star Diego Maradona, during Barcelona’s training session earlier today.
The Argentine netted 38 goals in 58 games for the Catalan side between 1982 and 1984.
WORLDWIDE TRIBUTES
Tributes are popping up all over the glove for Diego Maradona.
Here is one touching effort from Syria.
DALMA MARADONA PAYS TRIBUTE TO HER FATHER
She posted: “I always feared my own death a lot but not now…because I know that is going to be the moment I am going to see you and hug you again.
“I’m already missing you daddy. I’m going to stick it out here, without that piece of my heart that you took with you.”
MIKEL ARTETA ON MARADONA
The Arsenal boss said, in tribute to the late Argentine: “It is a really sad moment, I was big fan of him.
“I know a lot of people who were very close with him as well and he was someone who inspired a whole city wherever he played.
“He had this attraction, a capacity to generate different emotions to any other football player and I think we all, as kids, were attached to him and now he is gone.
“Thank you so much for what he has done for this sport and I think a lot of young kids at the time wanted to become a footballer because of players like him.”
MARADONA’S LAWYER THREATENS ACTION OVER FUNERAL WORKER’S SELFIE
The lawyer for Diego Maradona has threatened legal action after pictures emerged of three funeral workers posing next to the late Argentinian footballer’s open coffin.
Photos have emerged of funeral worker’s posing for pictures next to the open casket of the late footballing hero.
One showed a man in a white shirt and black tie standing over the coffin, giving a thumbs up, while another showed two men by Maradona’s body.
Maradona’s lawyer, Matías Morla, said he had identified the “piece of s**t” who had taken the image of himself next to the coffin, adding: “For the sake of my friend’s memory, I will not rest until he pays for this outrage.”
MORE QUOTES…
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
“Diego Maradona will always be the best player I have seen live. Saw him play for Argentina against Norway in Oslo. They lost 1-0. Stood outside and touched his shoulder.
“Had the pleasure of meeting him at Old Trafford. Unbelievable talent. Smile when you saw him. Best there has been.”
Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso
“The greatest regret I have is probably the fact that I can’t tell my children I played against Maradona. For sure he would have dribbled past me or maybe something worse, but I regret it.
“He died, but Diego will never die, especially in this city (Napoli) because this city was lucky enough to have him. He changed the history of Italian football because for a long time the championship was played between Turin and Milan teams.
“Here he was more than a player. He was someone who always said reasonable things and was the pride of the city.”
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa
“He was for us, and will continue to be, an idol. Given the fact he is not here with us anymore brings us great sadness. Having lost an idol, it’s something that makes us feel weak.
“Maradona was an artist. To give one example that stands out: the songs written about him are extraordinary and I read 10 texts after his death that have been emotional.
“I don’t recall where I was (when I watched the ‘Hand of God’ goal) but the expression of a work of art is something that you can’t put to too many things. When you see a beautiful church you are taken back, this was a similar feeling I had when Diego scored.”
QUOTES ABOUT MARADONA
Here’s a round up of what some top flight managers have said about Argentine star that was Diego Maradona.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard
“Diego Maradona was my idol growing up. He was a person who was the player on the world stage that made me fall in love with the game. He is a footballing god.”
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti
“I have a good memory of him. He was an opponent and then he became a friend. I always liked him as a person and it’s a big loss for football. He was the best player I ever played against.”
On the ‘Hand of God’: “I think it was handball. But you cannot explain Maradona with the handball. That World Cup he practically won on his own.”
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
“The best through my lifetime. Maybe it is not right anymore because I have seen Cristiano (Ronaldo) and Lionel (Messi) many times now as well. In my own playing career, he was the standout player.
“His life I think shows how nice and how difficult life can be when you are a world class footballer.
“I met him once. For a player of my level meeting him was like meeting the Pope.”
AGUERO FINDING IT ‘TOUGH’ AFTER MARADONA’S DEATH
Pep Guardiola has admitted the past few days have been tough for Argentina international Sergio Aguero following the death of Diego Maradona.
Aguero played under Maradona for the national team and was also once married to his daughter Giannina, who is the mother of his son.
Guardiola said: “It’s difficult for me to talk about his feelings. The game against Olympiacos was hard.
“Especially for his son, it’s tough. He knew Maradona well and his son, it’s his grandfather. It’s a sad situation for his family, but he’s OK.”
MARADONA WAS A ‘FOOTBALLING GOD’
Chelsea coach and former England midfielder Frank Lampard has described Diego Maradona as a “footballing god”.
Lampard, who made 106 appearances for the national side, said the Argentine was the reason he fell in love with the game.
He said: “He was the player on the world stage that made me fall in love with the game.
“I was fortunate to meet him very briefly, he was a footballing god and it is very sad.”
GIANT PICTURE OF MARADONA ERECTED
A giant photo of Diego Maradona has been erected in the footballer’s honour in Italy.
The picture has been put up on the outside of the Royal Palace in Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples.
It has already become something of an attraction for fans with many leaving flowers and other memorabilia of the Argentine star who spent a long period of his career at Napoli.
A toddler was also caught on camera practicing his footie skills in front of the memorial.
PLAYERS OBSERVE 1 MIN SILENCE ACROSS THE WORLD
Players observe a minute of silence to pay a tribute to late Argentinian football player Diego Maradona ahead of the AFC Champions League group F football match between China’s Shanghai Shenhua and Japan’s FC Tokyo at the Education City Stadium in the Qatari city of Ar-Rayyan.
MARADONA’S FAVOURITE RESTAURANT TABLE PERMANENTLY RESERVED
Salt Bae has permanently reserved Diego Maradona’s favourite table at his iconic Dubai restaurant.
Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gökçe, shared a video of the table which featured a framed picture of the sporting great and a sign saying “reserved”.
Gökçe wrote: “This was your favourite table Maradona. Table is reserved forever for you. RIP Legend.”
MORE BLOOD SPILLED IN CLASHES
More blood was spilled during clashed between Maradona fans and police.
Cops struggled to maintain order as emotions ran high with fans eager to pay their last respects to the footballing legend.
Pictures show police swooping in to make arrests with some fans sustaining bloody injuries.
PICTURED: COPS CLASH WITH FANS
Clashes between cops and Maradona fans erupted for the second day running as Argentina continued its three days of official mourning.
Skirmishes broke out as fans were desperate to pay their last respects to their hero who died on Wednesday from a heart attack.
As tensions rose the last goodbye was suspended as police made a number of arrests.
FLARES AND FIRES LIT AS NAPOLI FANS HONOUR MARADONA
Napoli fans lit fires and flares outside the San Paolo stadium in Naples as they mourned their hero Diego Maradona.
Hundreds of fans of the Argentine star gathered last night to pay their respects.
Maradona joined the Italian side from Barcelona in 1984 and remained with the club until 1991.
He scored 81 goals for the side and became a firm favourite with loyal fans.
BRAZIL PUTS ASIDE FOOTBALL RIVALRY TO HONOUR MARADONA
Brazil may be fierce rivals with Argentina on the pitch but the country still honoured Diego Maradona.
But they are putting aside the argument to mourn the death of Maradona.
Ex-presidents, author Paulo Coelho and former competitors were among Brazilians paying tribute to Maradona for his influence on the game and charisma off the field.
NAPOLI TO RENAME STADIUM TO HONOUR MARADONA
Napoli are set to rename their Stadio San Paolo after Diego Maradona following the club legend’s death.
The Serie A side’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis is already in talks with the Naples city mayor over the change.
De Laurentiis told Sky Italy: “I’ve been in talks with local authorities for the past 17 years, I have always asked to buy the stadium and rename it ‘Diego Armando Maradona’.
“If then, for tradition, we will need to call it both ‘San Paolo’ and ‘Maradona’ so be it.
“It won’t change much, but it’s only right that Maradona has this recognition.
Read more here.
MOURINHO PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARADONA
Tottenham Hotspur coach Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to his friend Diego Maradona after the Argentine star died on Wednesday.
Mourinho paid honoured Maradona after Spurs’ 4-0 victory over Ludogorets in the Europa League.
“Maradona the world knows, the world never forgets,” he said. “I made sure that my son knows a lot about him, even being born after he was a player. I know my son will make sure when he is a father he will not let his kids forget.
“It was a bit similar with [Alfredo] Di Stefano; I never saw him play football, but my dad made sure I knew a lot about him. With these generations, we have players of our generations, and in my generation was what everybody knows.”
He added: “I know him well enough and in my big defeats, he would always call me. In my big victories, never. But I will miss Diego, and I am very sad but I have a smile because with him, every minute I spent with him was to laugh.”
POLICE AND FANS CLASH ONCE AGAIN
Fans of Diego Maradona and cops clashed once again as people were desperate to see their footballing icon one last time.
Tensions quickly escalated as fans tried to pay their last respects to the Argentine hero.
Only family members and close friends were able to attend the private ceremony at the Jardin Bella Vista as Maradona was laid to rest.
FUNERAL: IN PICS
Crowds lined the street to catch a glimpse of Maradona’s hearse as head towards the cemetery.
Hundreds of supporters crowded the road in an outpour of grief.
A small group of family and friends carried Diego Maradona’s casket with the flag of Argentina draped over it.
About a dozen people were present for the private religious ceremony and burial of the former forward.
COFFIN DRIVEN TO FUNERAL AS MOURNERS LINE STREETS
Mourners have lined the streets as Diego Maradona’s coffin is driven to the football legend’s funeral in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
Grieving supporters cried as the hearse carrying the former forward drove past them today in Buenos Aires.
Maradona was laid to rest next to his parents Dalma and Diego at the Jardin de Paz cemetery.
A small group of family and friends carried his casket with the flag of Argentina draped over it into the the cemetery.
About a dozen people were gathered for the private religious ceremony and burial.
His body was meant to lie in state for three days at the presidential palace after Argentina’s president Alberto Fernandez declared three days of mourning for Maradona.
MORE PATERNITY CLAIMS
In the wake of a reunion with Diego Jr and Jana, more women came forward with paternity claims against Maradona.
In March 2019, he accepted paternity of three Cuban children, reportedly from two mothers, although their identities remain a secret.
Maradona had spent many months in Havana between 2000 and 2005 while undergoing treatment for a cocaine habit, even befriending then-President Fidel Castro during his time in the country.
Maradona later got a tattoo of Castro’s face on his leg.
At least three other women have come forward claiming Maradona to be the father of their children, but he did not publicly confirm they were his before his death.
His youngest child, Diego Fernando, is just seven, and was born in 2013.
Maradona had been dating his mother, Veronica Ojeda, before dumping her when she was four months pregnant for Rocio Oliva, 30 years his junior.
CHILDREN & LOVE CHILDREN
While two of his children, daughters Dalma and Giannina, were with his first wife Claudia Villafane, Diego has at least three other kids – with unconfirmed rumours of more.
In 2016, after nearly 30 years of denying paternity, Diego finally recognised Diego Jr Sinagra as his son.
He had been born in September 1986 after Diego’s affair with model Cristina Sinagra while he played for Napoli.
Despite years of campaigning from his mum – and even rumours that the Pope had got involved – Diego refused to accept he was the father, despite an Italian court proclaiming him as the father as early as 1995.
He finally had a change of heart after another love child, Jana, got to know him by secretly meeting with him at a gym he attended in Buenos Aires.
Maradona had fathered Jana, now a lingerie model, after a brief fling with nightclub worker Valeria Sabalain while still married to Claudia Villafane.
Diego Jr, who had a career as a lower league footballer in Italy, publicly posed for pictures with Diego after a family reunion.
Maradona Sr said: “I’m very happy because I’ve been reunited with my son.
“I’ve been reunited with him as I was reunited with Jana.
“I love him a lot and he’s very like me.”
FORMER LOVER CLAIMS SHE WAS BANNED FROM WAKE
Maradona’s former lover Rocio Oliva has spoken in tears claiming she was banned from the wake by his ex-wife Claudia Villafane.
Oliva called the ban ‘a disgrace’ in an emotional interview outside the doors of Argentina’s equivalent of the White House.
She claimed she had been excluded from a list of the retired footballer’s closest family and friends already inside the Casa Rosada and told to queue with the rest of the public.
Oliva spent six years with the recovering drug addict and came close to marrying him before their split at the end of 2018.
As she fought back tears after being turned away before the public were allowed in to see Diego in his coffin, she said: “The decision on who gets in depends on Claudia.
“I don’t know why they’re doing this to me. All I wanted to do was say goodbye to Diego.
“I was his last partner. I have as much right as anyone else to say goodbye to him.
“They should think a bit more about Diego who’s dead now.”
In a menacing emotional last comment before she left, she said: “God sees everything and they are going to pay for this.”
WHO WAS MARADONA’S FIRST WIFE?
Maradona met his wife Claudia Villafane when she was 17 and he 19.
They married after a long engagement in 1989 and were wed 25 years, but the pair endured a turbulent relationship over three decades.
Maradona has two children with Claudia, who has been a film producer, reality TV star and actress in her career.
However, their marriage was fraught with rumours of Diego’s infidelity.
The couple divorced in 2004, but continued to be seen together in the years that followed, including at the 2006 World Cup.
The pair then drifted apart but made more headlines together in 2018, when Maradona sued Claudia for allegedly stealing his money and using it to buy apartments in Florida.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
