 Maradona faces liver problems | |
Football legend Diego Maradona is not suffering from "real alcoholism" but remains stable in hospital with liver problems, his personal physician Alfredo Cahe said Saturday.
Cahe told reporters at the Buenos Aires hospital where Maradona, 46, was rushed three days ago, that his condition is "fine and stable" and for the moment "without unexpected complications."
"By the 'hand of God' we can help him," Cahe said, making a reference to the football star's outrageous 1986 World Cup score against England, when he tipped the ball into the goal with his hand unnoticed by the referee.
Doctors said that Maradona, called one of the greatest players of the last century but whose career on and off the pitch has been marred by repeated drug and alcohol abuse, had been hospitalized related to drinking.
The only official medical report from the hospital Saturday said "Maradona's clinical development is good," and said he had undergone several different tests and scans.
"He has been given psychotropic medication required by the detoxification program," the statement said.
Cahe said the athlete's problems stemmed from more than alcohol consumption.
"It isn't real alcoholism. There was alcohol, diet, tobacco in excess, most certainly issues of privacy and of a high level of stress that was happening.
"All of that in greater or smaller amounts has affected him at this moment."
Cahe said Maradona's life was not in danger, but conceded that he would have to stay hospitalized for a time. | 
Re: Maradona faces liver problems 
