Maradona back in hospital

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona returned to hospital with abdominal pain yesterday, two days after being released from two weeks of treatment for alcohol abuse and liver problems, his doctor said.

Maradona, 46, was not in danger but may have a recurrence of hepatitis, Dr Alfredo Cahe told radio and television.

The country's beloved soccer legend, who has had a string of health problems since he retired 10 years ago, was being moved from a provincial hospital to the private Sanatorio de los Arcos clinic in the capital, Cahe said.

"When someone has strong abdominal pain it seems prudent to me to do some primary testing and decide whether he goes home or is rehospitalised," Cahe said.

Maradona led Argentina to their second World Cup victory in 1986. His health gets blanket media coverage at home, complete with news conferences by panels of doctors.

"I had suspected pancreatitis," Cahe said. "But that is not what I'm seeing now. I'm seeing a reactivation of the hepatitis."

He said Maradona was not taking drugs or alcohol. Maradona had left hospital on Wednesday, saying he was totally recovered from alcohol-induced hepatitis and pledging to follow doctors' orders not to drink.

At the time, he said nothing would stop him from going to Sunday's match between his old team Boca Juniors and arch-rival River Plate.

In 2004, Maradona came close to death with heart problems associated with cocaine abuse. In 2005, he had gastric surgery to fight obesity.