Argentinian police search property of 3 men who posed next to Maradona's body

Authorities in Buenos Aires have searched the properties of three people who took pictures of themselves alongside Diego Maradona's body this week.

The footballing icon was laid in state in the Argentinian capital on Thursday following his death from a heart attack on Wednesday. Thousands of fans paid their respects to the 1986 World Cup winner during the wake, but three funeral workers caused outrage by posing for photos next to the open casket.

All three men were sacked by funeral company Sepelios Pinier for their actions and will be called to declare in front of the public prosecutor's office.

The three men were not arrested because their alleged crimes are not criminal offences. They will be cited for alleged desecration of a body and may also be charged with violation of privacy rights.

The photographs themselves show the three men posing next to the open casket of Maradona, with his body visible. During the public wake at the Casa Rosada, the casket remained closed for the entire time.

Police in Buenos Aires have carried out searches of a house, a garage and the building where Maradona's body was prepared, confiscating three mobile phones, a laptop, a USB stick and various items of clothing.

The three men, whose actions have provoked fury around the world, have since been the subject of threats and fear for their safety.

Claudio, a 48-year-old man in glasses, appears in one of the photos with his son. "I'm receiving threats because they know me, I'm local," he told Radio 10. "People are annoyed. [They say] they're going to kill us, that they're going to rob our van."