Maradona's Ex denies stealing

Buenos Aires - Diego Maradona's former girlfriend denied on Thursday that she stole jewellery belonging to the football legend, as she fights extradition to Dubai to answer the charges.

Rocio Oliva, 22, appeared in a Buenos Aires court to hear the charges against her after being arrested late Wednesday at Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires.

Maradona, 53, says Oliva stole hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of watches, diamond earrings and other jewellery from him in Dubai, where he works as a sports promoter and has a mansion on Palm Jumeira, a palm tree-shaped artificial island.

Oliva, who denies the charges, told the court that "she never stole anything," said her lawyer, Jose Vera.

She remains in custody but plans to apply for bail while the court sorts out procedural questions around her case, Vera said.

"Now Dubai has to send an extradition request," he told Argentine media.

"There is no criminal law treaty between the United Arab Emirates and Argentina."

Maradona's lawyer Matias Morla for his part told news channel Todo Noticias that his client would drop the charges if Oliva returned his property.

Oliva was arrested after the United Arab Emirates issued a warrant for her.

A footballer herself, she has accused Maradona of hitting her.