Argentinian legend Diego Maradona remained in intensive care last night, more than 48 hours after falling ill with heart and breathing problems, but while improving he still needs help with breathing.
"He continues to be assisted in breathing," his doctors said in a statement, but did not say if he was still on an artificial respirator. They were reducing his dosages of medication, but had also found bacteria likely due to a secondary infection.
Earlier in the day local media claimed he had been taken off artificial respiration. A Buenos Aires radio station cited Maradona's ex-wife, Claudia Villafane, as saying he was now breathing without assistance.
Family doctor Alfredo Cahe refused to comment when asked if Maradona was breathing on his own, and has previously denied reports that the illness was due to cocaine, saying he had not been taking the drug lately and that the tests he had seen were negative.
The 1986 World Cup winning captain has been fighting drug addiction for years. In 1991, Maradona failed a dope test for cocaine and was banned from playing for 15 months. He played in his fourth World Cup in the US in 1994, but tested positive for drugs the day before he was due to make his record 22nd appearance.
Cahe had earlier said the 43-year-old was relaxed and an artificial respirator had been turned down to the minimum level, although he added the Argentinian national hero was not out of the woods yet.
