Maradona targeted in tax probe in Argentina: Source

Buenos Aires, Mar 8: Argentine judicial authorities are probing the bank accounts of soccer great Diego Maradona as part of a tax investigation, a source at Argentina's central bank said today.

The central bank has asked Argentine banks holding accounts in Maradona's name to hand over details on any activity in the accounts, the source said.

''It's a request from the tax court,'' the person said.

Buenos Aires daily Clarin said on its Web site authorities would investigate all the former soccer player's banking transactions since 2005.

Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup championship, has also come under scrutiny in Italy, where he faces tax evasion charges.

Last year, Italian officials seized two Rolex watches from Maradona after he arrived in Italy for a benefit match, saying he owes 31 million euros in back taxes from his playing days at the Italian club Napoli.

A spokesman for Maradona could not immediately be reached for comment.

Since retiring from soccer in 1997, Maradona has battled cocaine addiction and obesity, and he spent several years in and out of rehabilitation. He has since claimed to be recovered, and in 2005 hosted his own TV programme.

Reuters