Cops to guard Maradona's grave to stop robbers

Argentine officials fear fanatical fans will plunder his plot in a bid to collect ghoulish mementoes of the World Cup superstar.

The Ministry of Security said the strict measures would be in force for at least a week to “prevent any incident” at the Bella Vista cemetery on the outskirts of the capital Buenos Aires.

Maradona, whose Hand of God goal knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup, died last week aged 60.

He had a heart attack following an op on a brain blood clot.

Many more lined the route of the funeral cortege, and cops fought running battles with fans.

Officials now fear a repeat of 1987, when ghouls robbed the grave of former Argentina president Juan Peron.

A source said: “The authorities do not want to take any chances.

“The people worshipped Diego in the same way they adored Peron and there are genuine fears there may be an attempt to break in and remove parts of the body.”