Maradona death: Clashes in Buenos Aires as public viewing of coffin cut short for early burial
Fans grew impatient during the day at not being able to visit their hero's casket as it lay in state in Buenos Aires.
Friday 27 November 2020 08:15, UK
Diego Maradona's funeral sparked clashes in Argentina after thousands of fans were unable to get a glimpse of his coffin.
Tens of thousands managed to pay their respects on Thursday as his body lay in state in Buenos Aires, before viewing was cut short at 6pm by the family, who wanted his body taken for burial.
The football icon died of a heart attack aged 60 on Wednesday.
Fans had gathered across the city, adorned in flags and football strips and singing songs, in the hope of being able to pay their respects.
However, people became impatient at being unable to see the casket and threw bottles, bricks and metal fencing at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
As a result, organisers opted to cut public viewing short and the casket was driven to a cemetery outside the capital, followed by hundreds of vehicles.
Only family members and close friends attended, and the footballing legend was buried next to the graves of his parents, Dalma and Diego.
Fans had been waiting for hours to see the casket during public viewing hours, which began at 6.15am.
Family members - including his ex-wives and daughters - all paid their respects early on Thursday, with his teammates from the 1986 World Cup winning squad also visiting.
Other footballers from across Argentina also attended, including former Manchester United player Carlos Tevez.
President Alberto Fernandez laid an Argentinos Juniors shirt on the casket - the team where Maradona began his career.
The first member of the public to view the casket was Nahuel de Lima, 30, who said: "He made Argentina be recognised all over the world, who speaks of Maradona also speaks of Argentina.
"Diego is the people... Today the shirts, the political flags don't matter. We came to say goodbye to a great that gave us a lot of joy."