Maradona in Italy to again battle weight increase

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is in Italy to receive medical treatment to combat his weight increase and rising stress levels following his team's two straight losses in World Cup qualifying.

ANSA reported yesterday that Maradona will meet Dr Henri Chenot after Argentina lost 3-1 to Brazil and 1-0 to Paraguay to drop out of the automatic World Cup qualifying places.

Argentina has won six matches and lost four since Maradona took over in November 2008. Those losses include a 6-1 thrashing by Bolivia and a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador.

Maradona, who captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, underwent a stomach stapling operation in 2005 following his extreme weight gain as a result of alcohol and drug addictions.