Argentina changes name of Maradona Cup amid lawsuit fears

BUENOS AIRES - Argentine football's Professional League Cup will cease to be called the Diego Maradona Cup because of possible legal action from heirs to the deceased legend's estate.

The tournament adopted Maradona's name just days after the 1986 World Cup winner's death from a heart attack in November.

However, Argentine football officials decided to revert to the tournament's original name for fear of future lawsuits for the use of Maradona's name and image.

According to lawyer Martin Apolo, image and naming rights form one of the "most important assets" in Maradona's inheritance.

Argentine media reports have estimated Maradona's estate to be worth between 75 million and 100 million US dollars.

The decision to drop Maradona's name comes less than a month after Banfield won the inaugural edition of the Maradona Cup by beating Boca Juniors in the final.

The 2021 Professional League Cup is scheduled to begin on Feb 14.