ROME (AP):

Italian tax police took Argentina coach Diego Maradona's earrings yesterday as part payment for his unpaid tax bill from when he played for Napoli in the 1980s.

The command office of the Bolzano Provincial Tax Police said Maradona handed over the pair of earrings, worth €4,000 (US$5,900).

They did not say if he was wearing them when they met him at the Grand Hotel Palace in Merano, which boasts an exclusive beauty farm on its grounds.

The tax police in the capital of the South Tyrol, or Alto Adige region, declined to describe the earrings, but Italian network Sky TG24 reported they contained diamonds.

helped the club

Maradona played for Napoli from 1984 to 1991, helping the club win its only two Serie A championships, the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup.

The Italian news agency ANSA said his tax bill stands at €37 million (more than US$54 million).

It's not the first time Maradona has surrendered some of his jewellery when visiting in Italy.

Three years ago, tax police took two Rolex watches from him when he went to a Naples suburb for a news conference and benefit appearance.

Bolzano police described Maradona as a regular visitor of the Italian Alpine region's resorts.

Maradona, 48, and overweight, came to the hotel beauty farm to be treated for weight gain and stress, according to his doctor.

This week, Maradona's personal physician dismissed speculation that his client was being treated for drug use.

His departure from Argentina, after damaging losses to Brazil and Paraguay in World Cup qualifying, had prompted immediate speculation about his widely reported battle with drugs.

With two qualifiers remaining next month, Argentina are in danger of missing their first World Cup since 1970 and Maradona is taking much of the blame.