Maradona, 46, was due to head to Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand next week, but the tour has been postponed until late June after his treatment for alcohol abuse, the official said.

The star was released from a Buenos Aires clinic on May 6.

"He needs time for physical therapy in order to recover from his treatment for alcoholism," the embassy source told AFP, adding that no new dates for the tour have yet been set.

Maradona had planned to spend five days in Thailand, where he was due to take part in an football exhibition.

Regarded as one of the greatest figures in world football, Maradona played for Barcelona and Napoli and captained his country to victory in the 1986 World Cup, but he has struggled with cocaine and alcohol abuse for years.

He was hospitalized earlier in April for hepatitis linked to heavy drinking.