Maradona 'sedated and recovering'

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Argentine former football star Diego Maradona is stable and recovering well after being admitted to a Buenos Aires hospital on Wednesday, doctors say.

The 46-year-old's personal physician said his ill health was brought on by excessive smoking, drinking and eating.

Maradona led the Argentine team to victory in the 1986 World Cup and is revered in his country.

He has previously battled cocaine addiction and being overweight, and has been treated for heart problems.

Maradona's personal physician, Dr Alfredo Cahe, said family problems had depressed his patient and led to his latest health crisis.

"He didn't have a very consistent lifestyle, in his eating habits, his drinking and the amount of cigars he smoked," Dr Cahe said.

Fans

He said Maradona had been against being taken to hospital.

"He woke up at 0230 and he insulted me, he didn't want to be there. They sedated him again and he fell asleep," Dr Cahe told a local radio station.

The latest statement issued by the hospital on Thursday said Maradona had been sedated and was resting.

More tests were being carried out but he was recovering well, although he was expected to remain in hospital for the time being, the statement said.

Maradona is still idolised in Argentina and his fans are watching and waiting for any news, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.

Ill-health

Maradona led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, and won league titles at home and in Italy.

Maradona: One of the greatest players of the 20th Century

But in 1991, he was banned for 15 months after failing a drugs test and tested positive again for banned drugs at the 1994 World Cup in the US.

He retired from competitive sport in 1997. In 2004, he spent 10 days in intensive care with high blood pressure, breathing problems and a lung infection.

Two years ago, he had a stomach stapling operation. He lost 30kg (66lb), began playing football again and appeared to be getting his life back on track.

But the Argentine media reported at the weekend that Maradona had put on weight and was considering taking a slimming cure in Switzerland.

Earlier this month, Argentina's central bank said it was investigating him for alleged financial irregularities.