Jump directly to the content

THE funeral of football legend Diego Maradona was marred by riots as passion and grief boiled over yesterday.

Violence erupted after the three-day mourning period announced for fans to pay their respects was cut short and his funeral was brought forward at the request of his family.

A man seen with blood on his face after riots erupted amongst the mourners
45
A man seen with blood on his face after riots erupted amongst the mournersCredit: Rex Features
One shirtless man faced-off with riot cops
45
One shirtless man faced-off with riot copsCredit: AFP or licensors
Grief and passion boiled over as officials had to step in and restrain some mourners
45
Grief and passion boiled over as officials had to step in and restrain some mournersCredit: EPA
Riot cops pinned one man to the ground
45
Riot cops pinned one man to the groundCredit: Rex Features
Cars driving through were surrounded by mourners
45
Cars driving through were surrounded by mournersCredit: AFP or licensors
Riot cops struggled to contain the crowds
45
Riot cops struggled to contain the crowds Credit: Rex Features

Maradona was laid to rest next to his parents Dalma and Diego at the Jardin de Paz cemetery in the capital Thursday.

A small group of family and friends carried his casket with the flag of Argentina draped over it into the cemetery.

But earlier yesterday, heartbroken fans clashed with police as they scrambled to get a glimpse of the ex-Napoli star's casket.

Grief and passion boiled over as crowds broke through barriers and brawled with riot police near the presidential palace.

The footie legend's coffin was set to be on display for public viewing for a three-day period so fans could pay their respects to the national treasure.

Scenes of mourning were interspersed with scenes of celebration for the sports-star's life
45
Scenes of mourning were interspersed with scenes of celebration for the sports-star's lifeCredit: EPA
Thousands left tributes in his home city of Buenos Aires
45
Thousands left tributes in his home city of Buenos AiresCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The football legend had a small, private burial and was laid to rest next to his parents
45
The football legend had a small, private burial and was laid to rest next to his parentsCredit: AFP or licensors
Fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Maradona
45
Fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of MaradonaCredit: Rex Features

But at 6pm yesterday his family requested his body be moved for burial, infuriating the thousands of fans who had queued for hours to say their goodbyes.

Mourners who became impatient with the wait lobbed bottles, bricks and bits of metal fencing as cops tried to control the crowd using tear gas and rubber bullets.

The wild scenes saw fans grapple with armour-clad riot cops.

Fist fights and wrestling matches broke out amongst the crowds as officials joined scrums in an attempt to pull hysterical mourners apart.

Helmet-wearing, gun-toting riot cops were seen restraining some of the rowdiest mourners, with one picture showing an officer pinning a man to the floor with his knee.

An aerial shot showing the scores of fans who lined up to they their respects to the fallen legend
45
An aerial shot showing the scores of fans who lined up to they their respects to the fallen legendCredit: Getty Images - Getty
People stand on the bridge and the highway as a large number of security vehicles escort the football player's hearse on the 25 de Mayo Highway
45
People stand on the bridge and the highway as a large number of security vehicles escort the football player's hearse on the 25 de Mayo HighwayCredit: Reuters
A man with a Maradona tattoo on his back arrives at the presidential palace to get a glimpse of the casket carrying the former forward
45
A man with a Maradona tattoo on his back arrives at the presidential palace to get a glimpse of the casket carrying the former forwardCredit: EPA
Mourning fans climb the fence of the presidential palace to get a glimpse of the casket carrying Maradona's body 
45
Mourning fans climb the fence of the presidential palace to get a glimpse of the casket carrying Maradona's body Credit: AP:Associated Press

Crowds clamoured round cars, rocking them from side to side.

One shirtless man was seen, fists raised, ready to plunge head-first into a wall of riot shields.

And hordes of tearful fans surrounded a white hearse, desperately hoping for a glimpse of their hero's final journey through the capital.

Tens of thousands of Argentines took to the streets to mourn him, leaving flowers and messages at his childhood home and at Boca Juniors' stadium.

Maradona became a star in Buenos Aires with Boca Juniors and went on to be a national hero and cultural icon in Argentina - inspiring his country to win the 1986 World Cup.

Fans wave as the funeral procession with the casket of soccer legend Maradona leaves the presidential palace Casa Rosada
45
Fans wave as the funeral procession with the casket of soccer legend Maradona leaves the presidential palace Casa RosadaCredit: Reuters
Maradona's coffin being loaded into the hearse at the presidential palace
45
Maradona's coffin being loaded into the hearse at the presidential palaceCredit: AFP
From the left:  Maradona's daughters Dalma and Giannina leaving the Casa Rosada presidential palace 
45
From the left:  Maradona's daughters Dalma and Giannina leaving the Casa Rosada presidential palace Credit: AFP or licensors
Hundreds came out to mourn Maradona as his body leaves the presidential palace
45
Hundreds came out to mourn Maradona as his body leaves the presidential palace Credit: EPA
Fans cheer on the street near Bella Vista cemetery
45
Fans cheer on the street near Bella Vista cemeteryCredit: Reuters

President Alberto Fernandez decreed three days of mourning in the wake of the death of the legendary player of a suspected heart attack aged 60, on Wednesday.

"His unparalleled footballing skill transformed him into one of the best-known people in the world," said the official mourning decree.



It continued: "[He] crossed frontiers and [was] universally recognized as the world's best player."

Maradona's body lay in a wooden coffin with the blue and white national flag and an Argentina soccer jersey with the famous number 10.

Relatives and friends bury the remains of Diego Maradona while police keep fans outside the Jardin de Bellavista cemetery in Buenos Aires
45
Relatives and friends bury the remains of Diego Maradona while police keep fans outside the Jardin de Bellavista cemetery in Buenos AiresCredit: AP:Associated Press
The hearse carrying the casket of Diego Maradona leaves the government house
45
The hearse carrying the casket of Diego Maradona leaves the government houseCredit: AP:Associated Press
People mourn Maradona's death on the street near the cemetery where he is being buried
45
People mourn Maradona's death on the street near the cemetery where he is being buriedCredit: Reuters
People watch Maradona's casket go by surrounded by police in Buenos Aires
45
People watch Maradona's casket go by surrounded by police in Buenos AiresCredit: Reuters
Mourners wave at the hearse carrying Maradona's body drives past
45
Mourners wave at the hearse carrying Maradona's body drives pastCredit: Reuters

It had been part of his nickname "D10S" - a play on "dios", the Spanish word for God.

"He was someone who touched the sky with his hands but never took his feet off the ground," President Fernandez said on Wednesday.

Hundreds of fans also congregated at other landmarks associated with Maradona.

They gathered outside the home where he was born in the Villa Fiorito neighbourhood, Argentinos Juniors' stadium - where he began his career - La Bombonera stadium, the home of one of Boca Juniors.

Some also headed to the headquarters of Gimnasia, the Argentinian club in La Plata where he was head coach before he died.

A small group of family and friends carried Diego Maradona's casket with the flag of Argentina draped over it
45
A small group of family and friends carried Diego Maradona's casket with the flag of Argentina draped over itCredit: Reuters
About a dozen people were present for the private religious ceremony and burial of the former forward
45
About a dozen people were present for the private religious ceremony and burial of the former forwardCredit: Reuters
The football legend was buried at t the Jardin de Paz cemetery, where his parents Dalman and Diego are also buried
45
The football legend was buried at t the Jardin de Paz cemetery, where his parents Dalman and Diego are also buriedCredit: AFP or licensors
Crowds lined the street to catch a glimpse of Maradona's hearse as head towards the cemetery
45
Crowds lined the street to catch a glimpse of Maradona's hearse as head towards the cemetery Credit: Reuters
A grieving football fan puts his hand on the window of the hearse carrying Maradona's coffin
45
A grieving football fan puts his hand on the window of the hearse carrying Maradona's coffinCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Major athletes and world leaders, including Argentine Pope Francis, have paid tribute to Maradona - whose appeal and personality transcended football.

A 2005 television clip circulated in local media on Wednesday in which Maradona shared what he would say at his own funeral.

"Thank you for having played football, because it is the sport that gave me the most joy, the most freedom," Maradona said.

"It is like touching the sky with my hands. Thanks to the ball."

Fans watch the funeral procession that moves the remains of Diego Armando Maradona from the Plaza de Mayo
45
Fans watch the funeral procession that moves the remains of Diego Armando Maradona from the Plaza de MayoCredit: EPA
Diego Maradona at Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires, lies draped in the Argentine flag and his famous No 10 shirt
45
Diego Maradona at Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires, lies draped in the Argentine flag and his famous No 10 shirtCredit: AFP
One fan pounds on the shield of a riot cop as they try to get a glimpse of their hero's casket at the presidential palace
45
One fan pounds on the shield of a riot cop as they try to get a glimpse of their hero's casket at the presidential palaceCredit: AP:Associated Press
Police try to keep order against the surging throng of Maradona fans
45
Police try to keep order against the surging throng of Maradona fansCredit: AP:Associated Press
One man embraces his screaming friend amid the chaos
45
One man embraces his screaming friend amid the chaos Credit: AP:Associated Press

Meanwhile, all schools in Naples were closed yesterday in honour of their former player.

As emotional fans gathered outside Napoli's football ground, the San Paolo stadium, the club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis admitted he could change its name to commemorate its best ever star.

Fans flooded into the streets of the city's Spanish Quarters, many of them lighting a candle beneath a huge mural of the Argentine in his sky-blue jersey.

"Ciao, God of Football," read paper signs affixed to the walls of the working class neighbourhood by fans.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Others lined the streets with flowers, candles and messages and beautiful murals were seen on walls across the city's neighbourhoods.

Emotional fans also gathered at Napoli's San Paolo ground, where they left scarves, candles, photos and shirts in tribute to their hero.

Police detain a man during clashes while fans wait to enter the Government House
45
Police detain a man during clashes while fans wait to enter the Government HouseCredit: AFP or licensors
Fans kick down barricades as they scramble to see Maradona's coffin
45
Fans kick down barricades as they scramble to see Maradona's coffinCredit: EPA
Napoli fans set off red smoke at a mural to their hero in the city
45
Napoli fans set off red smoke at a mural to their hero in the cityCredit: AP:Associated Press
A man wipes away tears in front of a giant mural of Maradona
45
A man wipes away tears in front of a giant mural of MaradonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
A woman struggles to hold back tears as she gathers with other fans at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Buenos Aires, 
45
A woman struggles to hold back tears as she gathers with other fans at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Buenos Aires, Credit: Reuters
Fans paying tribute to the player at a stadium named after him in Buenos Aires
45
Fans paying tribute to the player at a stadium named after him in Buenos AiresCredit: AP:Associated Press
A man sobs outside the Marcelo Biesla stadium in Rosario
45
A man sobs outside the Marcelo Biesla stadium in RosarioCredit: Reuters
A huge flag dubbing Maradona 'the king' was strung up outsideSan Paulo stadium in Naples
45
A huge flag dubbing Maradona 'the king' was strung up outsideSan Paulo stadium in NaplesCredit: AFP or licensors
A man walks past flowers left by a mural of the revered legend in Argentia
45
A man walks past flowers left by a mural of the revered legend in ArgentiaCredit: AFP or licensors
Argentina president Alberto Fernandez has decreed three days of mourning for close friend Diego Maradona
45
Argentina president Alberto Fernandez has decreed three days of mourning for close friend Diego Maradona
Smoke bombs were also set off another mural site
45
Smoke bombs were also set off another mural siteCredit: AFP or licensors
Diego Maradona's craziest moments
Topics