Maradona suicide bid denied

The doctor treating Diego Maradona has denied the Argentina legend’s admission to hospital last week was down to a suicide attempt.

The 46-year-old was rushed to Guemes hospital in Buenos Aires seven days ago after falling ill with what was later described as an over-indulgence in smoking, drinking and eating.

But doctor in chief Hector Pezzella insisted in a statement that the 1986 World Cup winner had not tried to take his own life.

“What happened was a disorder in compulsive form, in this case due to alcohol,” he said.

“This was not a suicide attempt. There has been good clinical progress.”