Diego Maradona, once the Michael Jordan of soccer, will not be bringing his “Showbol” program as planned for March 1 to San José's Ricardo Saprissa stadium, the event's organizer Novaterra said.

Novaterra did not give details as to why the show by Argentina's most celebrated, and controversial soccer player had been cancelled, although it said the admission fee – between $8 and $80 – will be returned to fans that purchased tickets for the event, according to newswire ACAN-EFE.

Hospital visits planned for celebrity “Showbolers” to spend time with child cancer patients have been cancelled, too, the wire reported.

Maradona, 47, became famous for his goal-scoring with such clubs as Argentina's Boca Junior's, Spain's FC Barcelona and Italy's SSC Napoli. His fame was later overshadowed by his failing doping tests, but fans still love him the world over. Maradona has had a stadium named after him and has become a television host in his home country, as well as the subject of a documentary by renowned Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica.

In May 2007, the soccer legend appeared on Argentinean television and declared he had quit drinking and had not used drugs for two and a half years.

“Showbol,” an indoor, seven-on-seven soccer event that pits past stars from Argentina against retired celebrity players from whichever home team the show happens to visit, has already scored big with fans in many countries in Latin America and Europe. Costa Rica, for now, will have to wait.