MILAN. May 4 : Disgraced Argentine soccer star

Diego Maradona weis fined 12.500 dollars on Friday for insulting the referee in one of his last matches In Italy, reports Reuter.

Maradona, released on ball on drugs charges in Buenos Aires last weekend. criticised the referee after hls Napoli club's 1 -0 home win over Sampdoria in the Italian Cup semifinaLs in March.

The punisfunent brought to about 63,000 dollars the amount the outspoken Maradona has been fined in a tumultuous season in Italy.

Napoli were fined 10,000 dollars for their former captain's offence.

The Argentine returned to his home country on April 2 after a league dope test showed he had taken cocaine and five days later he was suspended from soccer worldwide for 15 months.

Meanwhile, AP adds from Naples : A Naples Judge, investigating a drug trafficking and prostitution case allegedly involving Maradona, on Friday was handed the experts reports about wire-tapping of the player's calls.

Judge Nicola Quatrano refused to disclose details of the tapping but said the public prosecutor will decide next week whether Maradona can be charged in the case.

The 1986 World Cup most valuable player was accused by some Neapolitan figures of using cocaine and of being a regular customer of a prostitution ring.

Maradona denied the accusations before returning to his native countiy last month.

Enozo Maria Siniscalchl. Maradonas lawyer in Italy, said earlier this week that the player plans to return to Italy later this month to clear up his position.

It was unclear, however, if Maradona can leave Argentina while free .on ball.

Minister's denial

Another AP message from Buenos Aires said : Maradona has not requested enrollment in any government programme offered to persons seeking help in curing drug dependence, Health Minister Avelino Porto said Friday.

"So far. we have not received any such request” from Maradona, the minister told reporters during a tour of the state-run Center for Social Reeducation, which specializes in treatment of drug addiction.

Maradona, considered the world's best soccer player for most of the last decade, is free on 20,000 dollars bond on charges of drug possession and distribution. He was arrested April 26 in a police raid on a Buenos Aires apartment

Marcos Franchi, Maradona's manager, said Thursday that "several psychologists already are treating Maradona" who has remained in seclusion at his home since his release from custody last Sunday.

Maradona "is firmly resolved not to fall under the temptation of drugs again” and "if necessary. Is willing to be hospitalized” for treatment. Franchi said.