Italy: Inland revenue rejects mediation for Maradona in tax dispute
Monday, 14 May 2012
last update: May 14, 12:56
Naples, 14 May (AKI) - Italy's tax agency has rejected a request for mediation by Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, who owes it 40 million euros in unpaid taxes and interest.
The agency's main office in Naples said on Monday in a letter seen by Sky TG24 that it will not attend a meeting with mediators requested by Maradona for 15 May.
"Mediation cannot be extended to tax matters," said the letter.
Maradona is due on 17 May to attend in person the next hearing in his long-running dispute with Italy's tax authorities.
The hearing is due to take place in Naples, where he played from 1984 to 1991.
Maradona said on Sunday in a statement received by Adnkronos from his lawyer Angelo Pisano that he has been unjustly "persecuted" for decades by Italy's tax agency.
"No-one knows better than I do what it means to be persecuted by the inland revenue. I have experienced it first-hand for over 25 years," Maradona said.
"During that time, I have been treated like a criminal, my dignity has been violated and my image as a sportsman has been sullied," Maradona added.
In January 2010 Maradona's diamond earring was sold for 25,000 euros at an Italian auction. The money went to paying off a nominal part of the tax debt he allegedly accrued during his years playing for Naples.
The earring was seized in September when Maradona was visiting a northern Italy health spa to treat obesity and stress.
The 51-year-old is currently coach for United Arab Emirates side Al Wasl in Dubai. He led Naples to league titles in 1987 and 1990 , a feat it has not been able to repeat. Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, he is venerated by Neapolitans.
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