Maradona rushed to hospital with heart problems

Argentina legend Diego Maradona is in the intensive care unit of a Buenos Aires hospital today following his admission with breathing difficulties.

According to an official statement from the Suizo Argentina Clinic, Maradona is suffering from hypertension and heart problems and has been sedated, intubated and attached to a machine to help him to breathe.

The medical report states his prognosis is "moderately favourable" but the forecast is as yet uncertain.

The 43-year-old had gone to watch his old team Boca Juniors play at home against Nueva Chicago yesterday morning but at 6pm local time (10pm UK time) he was rushed to the clinic's intensive care unit.

Maradona's personal physician Dr Alfredo Cahe was surprised by the ex-footballer's sudden illness.

"I do a daily check on Diego and he was fine," Dr Cahe said on the steps of the clinic.

Family members and friends went to the hospital to be at his bedside.

Maradona has a history of drug and health problems. In 2000 he suffered severe heart problems due to a cocaine overdose.

He then began a long recovery treatment in Cuba and returned to his homeland last month.

Maradona was also twice banned for failing drug tests during his playing days.

He received a 15-month suspension in 1991 when testing positive for cocaine while playing in Italy's Serie A and was sent home from the 1994 World Cup and banned for the same amount of time.

Maradona is best known for the infamous "Hand of God" incident during England's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss against Argentina on June 22, 1986.

It was the countries' first meeting since the Falklands War four years earlier.

In front of 114,580 spectators in Mexico City's Aztec Stadium, Maradona punched the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and a goal was allowed to stand by Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur.

Maradona never admitted it was a handball, even though TV replays showed it clearly was, famously insisting that the "Hand of God" helped the ball into the net.

He went on to lead Argentina to victory over West Germany in the World Cup final that summer and also helped them reach the 1990 final which they lost.