ARGENTINA LEGEND DIEGO MARADONA TO HAVE ASSETS FROZEN OVER £33m DEBT

Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona has been told his assets will be frozen to help repay £33m (€39m) of debt by Italian tax officials.The 52-year-old was served legal papers in his hotel room in Milan and signed the documents, according to Italy's tax collection agency Equitalia.

The World Cup winner was in Italy to promote a video series on his career and to watch his former club Napoli play Roma on Friday.Maradona's debts stem from alleged unpaid taxes during his time at the club between 1984 and 1991, when he helped Napoli win its two Serie A titles.

In previous visits to Italy, tax police have confiscated two Rolex watches and a diamond earring from the former player.

He has previously refused to pay the debt, claiming it was the club's responsibility.In 2005, the striker was ordered to pay £31.5m (€37.2m) – most of it interest on the alleged debt.But the trial was restarted in 2011 and a final ruling in January this year established the final figure.

The ruling will freeze Maradona's assets in Italy, but the papers only have a 180-day validity and would have to be renewed whenever he is in the country.Last year, he said: "I am not a tax fraudster."I was playing football and someone else was signing for me."

Maradona scored 115 goals in 259 games for Napoli, and led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.