Maradona is to stay in hospital for two weeks

Diego Maradona suffers a health crisis caused by excessive eating, smoking and drinking, and will remain in the hospital for at least two more weeks.

Photo: Maradona is to stay in hospital for two weeks

Alfredo Cahe at first feared that Maradona was suffering from pancreatitis but it turned out to be alcoholic hepatitis."The type of acute hepatitis he has is a case related to alcoholism," Cahe said. "The hospitalization will last no less than 15 days."

Maradona, 47, was taken by ambulance last Wednesday to a Buenos Aires sanatorium, where he has undergone treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

His life was not reported in danger, and doctors say his latest health problems are not as serious as in 2000 and 2004, when he was hospitalized near death for problems associated with cocaine addiction.

Cahe also noted "an improvement" in the health of Maradona, considered one of soccer's greatest players along with Brazil's Pele.

Revered throughout Argentina, Maradona led his country to the 1986 World Cup title and the final in 1990. But he later struggled with drug addiction and obesity, and in 2005 had gastric bypass surgery.