Maradona was admitted to the Guemes hospital in Buenos Aires after falling ill, according to a short statement released by the hospital.

The statement clarified there was no link between the illness and drug addiction, and Dr Cahe added that Maradona was admitted to hospital merely as a precaution.

He said: "Maradona is not at risk of death. It was necessary for him to be taken to hospital to do some medical tests.

"There is nothing to do with cocaine or anything like that. There was some imbalance in weight, cigars and drinks.

"Also he suffers from stress, so I thought it was wise to take him to hospital, even against his will.

"Diego has been living a lifestyle that is not suitable."

Maradona was expected to travel to Switzerland to undergo some tests and see if he can shift the weight he has put on since undergoing a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 that made him lose 66lbs.

However, Cahe said: "We've been scheduling it, but it's not the right time to do that trip."

In 2000, the 46-year-old was hospitalised with a severe heart problem while on holiday in Uruguay and four years later spent 10 days in intensive care with heart and breathing problems.