Already this week, Diego Maradona has amused his followers with some roly-poly action on the touchline, but he swapped clowning for clambering on Thursday night.
As ugly scenes erupted between fans at the end of Al Shabab’s 2-0 Etisalat Pro League victory over Maradona's Al Wasl in Al Mamzar, players' wives and girlfriends had to be evacuated, including El Diego. Only he chivalrously mounted the stands from the pitch to help his partner Veronica.
Gulf News report that Ciel, a Brazilian striker, who set up and then scored in the 2-0 win, was subjected to abuse from Argentinean supporters from Maradona’s entourage, which included Maradona’s partner Veronica.
Al Shabab supporters reacted to vehemently defend the Brazilian, and the Battle of the South Americans had transferred to another continent.
Amidst the rush to evacuate the WAGs, Juan Mercier’s partner tripped and fell down the stairs before Mercier himself ran to her aide.
Maradona said: “Some people are cowards. They only attack women and have no courage to confront men. This is the first time I am upset with the fans.
"If they are angry with me they should know that I did it [climbed the stands] for my wife because someone was calling her names. They shouldn’t be angry with me they should be angry with the people who did this. They are cowards, not real fans."