Diego Maradona has surgery after being bitten by his
dog
Diego Maradona during a recent trip to Anfield to watch
Liverpool play. Photograph: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport
Diego Maradona was hospitalised and
operated on today after one of his dogs bit him in the face.
The Argentinian football coach needed surgery on his upper lip
after the pet, reportedly a Shar Pei, attacked him in their Buenos
Aires home last night.
The 49-year-old former international was taken to the Los Arcos
private clinic in the Palermo district where he was said to be
making a full recovery.
He was accompanied by his personal physician, Alfredo Cahe, and
his daughter Dalma. The TV network Todo Noticias said Maradona was
bitten three times but not seriously injured. He was expected to
return home later today.
Local media
said the coach's four-year-old Shar Pei turned on him
while they were playing at home.
A distinctive breed known for deep wrinkles, it comes from the
Guangdong province of China and was originally bred as a palace
guard dog.
Shar Pei are intelligent, playful, and devoted but need careful
training, said dogbreedinfo.com. "The dog's
temperament depends on how the owner treats the dog. Dogs who are
allowed to believe they are the boss over humans will develop
behaviour issues. Dogs who are not taken for daily pack walks will
also begin to display a varying degree of issues."
Maradona, one of football's most gifted players, has battled
drug addiction and health problems. He was appointed national team
coach in 2008, and guided Argentina to qualification for the
World Cup, which starts in June.
Despite patchy performances, the team are considered a
tournament favourite. They are in Group B with Nigeria, Greece and
South Korea.
Maradona led Argentina to their second World Cup victory, a 3-2
victory over West Germany in 1986, and captained his team to the
final of the 1990 tournament.
