Brazilian legend Pele has called for former Napoli and Argentina hero Diego Maradona to be stripped of his many titles.
World Cup-winner Maradona had a glittering but controversial career marred by persistent drug abuse.
However, he is still a hero in Napoli where he led the Partenopei through a golden era, inspiring them to two Scudetti, a Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup in the 1980s.
“Maradona should lose every one of the titles he ever won,” fumed Pele in a lengthy interview with Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo.
“Why? Because of his positive results for doping. Why should he keep his medals when so many Olympians who fail drugs tests lose theirs?”
Maradona tested positive for cocaine in Italy after a check-up in 1991 and was sent home from the World Cup in 1994 after his blood was found to contain the banned substance ephedrine.
“For those reasons, I would now take away his titles,” added Pele.
In a scathing attack, the 67-year-old former Santos star questioned Maradona's status as one of football's greatest ever players.
“Diego was a good player, but he couldn't dribble with his right leg or head the ball - therefore he wasn't complete.
“I liked his compatriot Alfredo Di Stefano much more. He was better than Maradona. Di Stefano was well-rounded, quick and scored more goals than Maradona did,” concluded Pele.
