Police put a gun to my head, says Maradona

Diego Maradona has claimed a Brazilian police officer pointed a gun at his head while he argued with officials at Rio de Janeiro's international airport.

Maradona, who was briefly detained for allegedly showing contempt to authorities, was late arriving for a return flight to Argentina after playing in Wednesday's charity match organised by Zico, the coach of Japan and the former Brazil international.

"All of a sudden, five police show up," Maradona said. "I didn't understand it and one of them comes and tells me we were causing damage. I didn't damage anything. Then he pointed the pistol."

The offence is punishable in Brazil by up to two years in prison, and Maradona was released only after signing a legal document promising to return for all legal proceedings.