Maradona withdraws theft complaint against girlfriend

Former Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona on Tuesday withdrew a theft complaint against his ex-girlfriend, after a video surfaced that allegedly showed him hitting her, news reports said.

"I spoke to Diego and he withdrew the complaint," the former girlfriend, Rocio Oliva, told Argentine television.

Maradona in March had accused Oliva in Dubai of stealing jewelry and other valuable items.

Oliva, 22, had a turbulent relationship with 53-year-old Maradona, who lives in Dubai and works as a sports promoter.

Argentine television channels have released a short video supposedly shot by Oliva in a room in Maradona's home.

In the blurry footage, Oliva can be heard saying "Stop, stop" as if she is trying to stop an attack.

Maradona has said he had knocked the phone from her hands but denies hitting Oliva, a female footballer.

Oliva said she was not responsible for the video being released and instead blamed an unnamed "nephew" of Maradona.

The couple had been a staple of Argentina's tabloid and celebrity press.

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