Diego Maradona has accused ex-wife Claudia Villafane of stealing $9million from his bank accounts.

Diego Maradona

The former Argentine footballer and team manager made the accusation during a TV interview in which he branded ex Claudia Villafane a 'thief'.

The 54-year-old, who was married to childhood sweetheart Ms Villafane from 1998 to 2003, also threatened his childhood sweetheart with jail if she fails to get the money back.Until recently he had maintained that just $6million had vanished from his accounts, but that amount appears to have increased.

Ms Villafane appeared in court last week for a mediation hearing over the issue, and used the opportunity to accuse Maradona of embezzling the money from his own accounts.

The sportsman, who appeared in court over video link, denied the allegations, adding: 'All I want is my money. I did not denounce anybody when I was robbed and I will not do so now. 'All I want is my money. I will not put forward any names as I have never done that. However, if they do not give me back my money, they will be sorry.'

However, he now appears to have changed his tone, threatening a major rift within the family as his two daughters by Ms Villafane, Gianinna and Dalma, sprung to her defence on Twitter.

Referencing remarks she made supporting her mother in the past, Dalma wrote: 'Do not listen to my dad, but for all those wondering, I still think the same as before!'

Maradona had previously revealed how money had gone missing from his accounts, and suspicion fell on Ms Villafane after an investigation revealed large amount of property and cash not previously declared to authorities.

According to news channel Infobae, Ms Villafane owns three apartments in an exclusive Miami tower worth $2million each and has $3million stashed in a bank in Uruguay. However, she has maintained her innocence and proceedings are set to continue. Dailymail