Maradona asks to meet Italian prosecutors over $54 million tax bill

NAPLES, Italy, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Former soccer great Diego Maradona has asked to meet with Italian prosecutors to discuss a disputed $54 million tax bill, his attorney said Thursday.

Tax officials contend Maradona failed to pay taxes on undeclared earnings from merchandising and sponsorships when he played for the Naples football club between 1984 and 1991, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Maradona, who lives out of the country, was in Italy Wednesday to watch his former club compete against AS Roma. The Naples team won two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup during the years he was a member of the club.

Officials have seized a diamond-studded earring and a Rolex watch from Maradona during his previous visits to Italy.