Argentina football legend Diego Maradona is sedated in hospital in Buenos Aires after falling ill.

46-year-old Maradona was rushed to hospital late on Wednesday night, reportedly against his will, after falling ill from excessive eating, drinking and smoking, according to doctors.

On Thursday he was given sedatives to curb his alcohol cravings.

Maradona's doctor, Alfredo Cahe, assured the waiting international media that the Albiceleste soccer legend was in no real danger, but would stay at the clinic for a few days to undergo tests.

Maradona has struggled with cocaine addiction in the past and in 2005 had a stomach-stapling operation to try and curb his weight.

That operation saw him shed 30 kg (66 pounds), but in recent photographs has appeared to have put on a large amount of weight again.

Maradona's doctor, Dr. Alfredo Cahe, said of his condition: "He's out of danger and doing satisfactorily."

The hospital’s medical director, Hector Pezzella, told reporters: "All the tests are routine," confirming that Maradona had his two daughters with him at his bedside and that his condition was not cocaine-related.

"He's sedated," said Pezzella, "due to alcohol abstinence."

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