Some threw bottles and pieces of metal fencing at the police near the Pink House in the heart of Buenos Aires. Officers at one point used tear gas to try to control them.
Fans blew kisses as they passed Maradona’s wooden coffin in the main lobby of the presidential building, some hitting their chests with clenched fists and yelling, “ Let’s go Diego. ”
The coffin was covered with an Argentine flag and the number 10 jersey worn by the famous national team. Dozens of other jerseys from different soccer teams dropped by crying visitors were scattered on and around the coffin.
Maradona died Wednesday of a heart attack at a house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires where he recovered from a brain operation on November 3.
The open tour began at 6:15 am local time (0915 GMT) after a few hours of privacy for close family and friends. The first to say goodbye were his daughters and close relatives. His ex-wife Claudia Villafane came with Maradona’s daughters, Dalma and Gianinna. Then came Verónica Ojeda, also his ex-wife, with their son Dieguito Fernando.
Jana, whom Maradona recognized as his daughter only a few years ago, also attended the funeral.
Then came the former teammates of the 1986 World Cup winning team, including Oscar Ruggeri. Other Argentine footballers, like Boca Juniors‘ Carlos Tevez, appeared too.
02:07Diego Maradona: a magician footballer
Lines began to form outside the Casa Rosada just hours after Maradona’s death was confirmed and grew several blocks away. Among those present were the renowned Barrabravas fans of Boca Juniors, one of their former clubs.
The first fan to visit him was Nahuel de Lima, 30, who used crutches to get around due to a disability.
“ He made Argentina recognized around the world, whoever talks about Maradona also talks about Argentina, ” de Lima told The Associated Press. “ Diego is the people … Today t-shirts and political flags do not matter. We came to say goodbye to a great one who gave us great joy. ”
Lidia and Estela Villalba cried near the lobby exit. Both wore Boca Juniors shirts and the Argentine flag on their shoulders.
“ We told him that we love him, that he was the greatest, ” they said at the same time.
On the tiles that cover the Plaza de Mayo, near the Casa Rosada, a huge mural of Maradona’a’s face was painted, which was decorated with a giant black ribbon at the entrance.
A giant screen in front of the Casa Rosada showed historic photos of Maradona to passing fans, most, but not all, wearing masks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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