Diego Maradona restrained by security after clashing with Juan Sebastian Veron at Pope's charity game

A La Liga XI beat a Rest of the World XI 4-3

Veron and Maradona clashed just before half time (Getty Images)

Diego Maradona needed to be restrained by security guards after clashing with compatriot Juan Sebastian Veron during a United for Peace charity game organised by the Pope.

Stellar names such as Ronaldinho and Francesco Totti joined Maradona at the charity game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Wednesday evening.

Hernan Crespo, Cafu, Gianluca Zambrotta, Roberto Carlos, Robert Pires and Fabio Capello were all in attendance for the game as a La Liga XI beat a Rest of the World XI 4-3.

Maradona and Veron clashed as the pair headed for the tunnel at half time after the two former Argentina internationals came together five minutes before the break.

Maradona went chest-to-chest with Veron before wagging his finger at the former Manchester United man, saying “I don’t need to talk with you” before security intervened.

However, one of the members of Maradona’s team, Stefano Mauri, said the matter was dealt with at half time and they were laughing together afterwards.

Maradona said before the game: “The Pope invited me. He is a Pontiff who is loved by everyone.

“He does a good job. I went away from the church, but he was the one who made me have faith again. We need peace nowadays, worldwide.

“We do not want violence nor so many innocent children to die. I’m afraid for my children. I would like to help more than I already do.

“Therefore I will enter the field on Wednesday and will play like in the 90s.”

The match came just days after the Vatican helped host an international congress on sports and faith to try and help raise funds for people who have been suffering since an earthquake hit central Italy at the end of August.