Maradona: Funeral worker apologises over coffin photos

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Claudio Fernández was pictured standing next to Maradona’s body, alongside his son, who made a thumbs-up gesture. A third man appeared in his own photo.

Maradona died at his home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, on Wednesday.

The images surfaced online as Maradona’s body lay in repose at the presidential palace, provoking outrage.

The footballer’s lawyer, Matías Morla, has vowed to take action against “the scoundrel” responsible for the photos.

Mr Fernandez told Radio 10 on Friday that the decision to take the photo was “something instantaneous”.

“My son, like every kid, raised his thumb and they took the photo,” he said. “I know that many people have been offended, they have taken it badly.”

Mr Fernández said he had received death threats.

“They say they are going to kill us, break our heads,” he told the radio station.

The Sepelios Pinier funeral parlour said the three men were “outsourced employees” who had helped carry the coffin.

Manager of the parlour, Matías Picón, told the TN news channel that the company was “devastated” by the images.

He said his company had organised funeral services for other members of the Maradona family. “The family has total confidence in us, that’s why we are so affected,” he said.

“My father is 75 years old and he is crying, I am crying, my brother too, we are destroyed,” Mr Picón added.