Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona and his lawyer Angelo Pisano will go on trial in Italy next year for slandering the Equitalia tax collection agency, a judge ruled on Wednesday.
Judge Chiara Giammarco ordered Maradona and Pisano to stand trial in Rome on 16 July 2016, accepting a request from prosecutors.
Maradona is accused of defaming Equitalia by repeatedly claiming in media interviews the agency had "persecuted" him, had cited "false documents" and used "heavy-handed" methods against him.
Equitalia in October 2013 notified Maradona it was beginning procedures to freeze his assets in Italy to pay off a tax debt of 39 million euros.
The tax bill dates back to the time he played for Napoli from 1984-91, when he helped the club win its two Serie A titles.