A legal battle between the family of the late Diego Maradona and Stefano Ceci, his former manager is looming. This follows controversy on the use of Maradona’s imagery in a new kit by Napoli.
The family of the late Argentine footballer is accusing Ceci of failing to seek its consent in the Napoli deal.
Napoli has a new kit launched last week and will wear it in Serie A to commemorate Maradona who died in November 2020 aged 60. Napoli has a new t-shirt with Maradona’s image emblazoned on it.
It will be a tribute to the football legend who is ranked the world’s best footballer. The first batch of the kit made a debut on Sunday during Napoli match against Hellas Verona.
Maradona played his last with Napoli before retiring.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 29: Diego Maradona of Argentina holds the World Cup trophy after defeating West Germany 3-2 during the 1986 FIFA World Cup Final match at the Azteca Stadium on June 29, 1986 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Archivo El Grafico/Getty Images)
The Controversy
Maradona’s family says the new jersey by Napoli lacks consent which is a prerequisite to such a move. His son Diego Maradona Junior argues that they still hold imagery rights for the football legend.
Maradona Jr holds that the Italian club was misled by Ceci who did not bother to seek consent from the family.
Speaking to Adnkronos, an Italian media the son said that, “The authorization was signed by Stefano Ceci, who was my dad’s manager, but now he is no longer and we heirs are the only deputies to sign this type of authorization.”
He says Ceci no longer has ties with the Maradona family since the legend’s death. Maradona Jnr also wondered how Napoli struck a deal with Ceci but added that it was a huge honour for the club to honour his father.
“A contract that no longer exists has been found to be valid and we will therefore take legal action,” he said.” It is strange that a serious club like football Napoli has given credit to this person.”
“The shirt in honour of father is a source of pride but I am sorry for the lack of consideration on the part of Napoli, we legitimate heirs have not been involved and have never given consent to this operation.”
What Killed Diego Maradona?
On the 25th day of November 2020, Maradona’s death was announced. He died of a heart attack, supposedly.
At first, reports indicated that the football legend succumbed to a heart attack after contracting coronavirus. He had undergone brain surgery moments before his death.
However five days after his death, Argentine police arrested seven doctors believed to have been involved in Maradona’s death. They were charged with simple homicide with eventual intent.
According to ESPN San Isidro Prosecutors said investigations showed motive by the accused persons to end the soccer star’s life. Among those arrested were the footballer’s personal doctor Leopoldo Luque, his psychiatrist Augustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz.
Maradona’s family petitioned Argentine’s medical board to investigate their kin’s death.
He died two weeks after being discharged from hospital in Buenos Aire after undergoing successful brain surgery.
Diego Maradona’s Football Rise
The former Barcelona player was born in 1950 in the slums of Buenos Aire. His parents of mixed descent gave him their best but life changed for him when he was only eight years old.
He joined Argentinos Juniors and trained with the Academy until he joined La Liga and later Serie A. During his football career, he became the world’s greatest footballer.
He was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Though short in stature, his football skill – dribbling, low centre of gravity and speed – always stunned the world.
It gave him a lifeline in his soccer career and a great start to his football coaching.
Diego Maradona. Photo/BBC
Diego Maradona Best Footballer in the World
Captaining Argentina, Maradona not only won the World Cup in 1986 with victory over Mexico but went on to win the Golden Ball in the tournament
He scored a brace in a 2 1 win against England in the quarter-final, with his first being dubbed ‘the hand of God’ after he appeared to have scored with the hand and not the head.
Maradona enjoyed a splendid club career as well. He won nine club trophies, one with Boca Juniors in Argentina, three with Barcelona in Spain, and five with Napoli in Italy, including their first-ever Serie A title in 1986-87.
He helped Napoli clinch the 1986/87 Coppa Italia trophy and the 1988/89 UEFA Cup. He ended his club career with 311 goals.
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