ROME (AP) — Diego Maradona’s diamond earring has sold for $36,400 at an auction to help pay off his nearly $54 million Italian tax bill.
Giovanni Lombardo of the Equitalia agency that organized the auction says an unidentified woman purchased the earring, which was valued at around $8,000.
Italian tax police seized the earring in September when the Argentina coach was in northern Italy at a hotel being treated for weight gain and stress.
Maradona’s Italian debts stem from unpaid taxes when he played for Napoli from 1984-91, when he helped the club win its only two Serie A titles.
Lombardo called the auction in Bolzano a “drop in the bucket” of Maradona’s debts but said it sends a message that everyone has to pay taxes.