Maradona could face ban after obscene press outburst

Published on Friday 16 October 2009 22:54

ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona could be banned for several matches and fined for an obscenity-filled outburst at a news conference after Wednesday's World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay.

"We're now opening a disciplinary case against the Argentine coach and now it's up to the relevant party in Fifa – the Fifa disciplinary committee – to enforce it," a Fifa spokesman said.

He added that Fifa president Sepp Blatter, speaking in Cairo at the World Youth Cup, had announced the governing body's intention to open a disciplinary case against Maradona.

According to article 58 of Fifa's disciplinary code, the sanction could be for a minimum of five matches, prohibit Maradona stadium access for the duration of the suspension and include a fine of at least 20,000 Swiss francs (12,000).

Maradona, relieved at Argentina's last-gasp qualification for the 2010 finals after a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday, used bad language when he hit out at critics who had questioned his coaching ability amid poor team performances.

"You lot take it up the ar*e," he told the press after the match, "if the ladies will pardon the expression." After dedicating the win to the fans and his family, he then added: "But certain people who have not supported me, and you know who you are, can keep sucking."

His comments were broadcast live on several television stations. Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona told the C5N cable TV channel: "On Tuesday we'll discuss this at the executive committee's meeting and see what we do."

Maradona has been heavily criticised for defeats against Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay that took twice world champions Argentina to the brink of failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

He has called up more than 70 players for 13 matches – eight qualifiers and five friendlies – since he took charge a year ago, and been questioned for his team selections. One major surprise was the recall of the 35-year-old Martin Palermo who had not played for Argentina for ten years.