Nov 20, 2011, 13:15 GMT

Maradona had a terrible night after his wife informed him on Saturday that his 80-year-old mother had slipped into a coma, sources close to him in Dubai told dpa.

‘He asked the administration of Al-Wasl (a Dubai-based team he coaches) to allow him to travel to be beside his mother,’ added the sources.

They said that he had learnt about his mother’s death after he boarded the plane early Sunday.

‘The club was shocked by the sad news,’ said Ahmed Khalifa, the media spokesman for Al-Wasl.

He added that Al-Wasl was not in a hurry for Maradona’s return for a local game next week.

‘Al-Wasl deeply understands the difficult circumstances he is experiencing,’ said Khalifa.

Maradona liked to talk about his mother at his press conferences in Dubai.

Maradona has been coaching the club since May and has signed a two-year contract.

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Dubai- Argentine football legend Diego Maradona on Sunday left the United Arab Emirates to travel to his homeland for his mother’s funeral.

Maradona had a terrible night after his wife informed him on Saturday that his 80-year-old mother had slipped into a coma, sources close to him in Dubai told dpa.

‘He asked the administration of Al-Wasl (a Dubai-based team he coaches) to allow him to travel to be beside his mother,’ added the sources.

They said that he had learnt about his mother’s death after he boarded the plane early Sunday.

‘The club was shocked by the sad news,’ said Ahmed Khalifa, the media spokesman for Al-Wasl.

He added that Al-Wasl was not in a hurry for Maradona’s return for a local game next week.

‘Al-Wasl deeply understands the difficult circumstances he is experiencing,’ said Khalifa.

Maradona liked to talk about his mother at his press conferences in Dubai.

Maradona has been coaching the club since May and has signed a two-year contract.