Diego Maradona arrested in Rio

The Brazilian news sources I have read stated that Diego Maradona and 4 persons with him (one of them, his brother Jose; another, one-time soccer player Mancuso, who played in Flamengo and Palmeiras) instigated a scene of confusion and damaged some property at Rio's Tom Jobim International Airport. Apparently, Maradona was upset he missed a 7:30AM flight.

There was suspicion that Diego and others were drunk.

His arrest happened after Maradona disrespected police officers. Maradona was quite angry he missed his flight, and not even the arrival of his agents calmed him down.

Once detained by Brazilian authorities, Argentina's Consulate in Rio dispatched a representative. Later on, Diego was released.

Now, before any irrational or idiotic person from either Brazil or Argentina start a war on Big Soccer over this incident, let's remember that no one should be exempt from the laws of any state. Diego may be a soccer celebrity, but he has no right to damage airport property because he was late for a flight. In the past, Argentine flights have been held up just so he could make it. He does not have any entitlement to such preferential treatment - not in Brazil, at least.

 

I found an account by Mancuso published on a Buenos Aires online paper, Clarin. This is the English version of his statement, given to Radio Mitre:

"Becoming upset was something logical and spontaneous. They closed the door on our faces, we asked for explanations, and immediately, they called the police."

“Diego was sitting down, calmly, resigned to having missed the flight and thinking of the next one. The plane was there, 2 meters away. The cops arrived, armed, and pointed their weapons. At this moment, Diego went nuts. And automatically they took us to make declarations. Now we are waiting for the next flight."

From this standpoint, it seems that Diego didn't start the fracas.

 

So I read. Unfortunately I could not find highlights. I would've loved to see Maradona passing and dribbling.