By Brian Homewood
Argentina’s soccer coach, Diego Maradona, has been given a two-month ban and fined more than 24000 following his globally broadcast foul-mouthed outburst at the end of last month’s decisive World Cup qualifier in Uruguay. Maradona, who as a player was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for a doping offence, was handed the ban by Fifa’s disciplinary committee yesterday.
Soccer’s governing body said in a statement: “The Fifa disciplinary committee … decided today to impose a two-month ban on taking part in any football related activity and a Sf25000 (24630) fine on the head coach of Argentina, Diego Maradona, in relation to the disciplinary proceedings related to the incidents following the 2010 Soccer World Cup qualifying match between Uruguay and Argentina played on October 14 in Montevideo.”
The statement also said : “The committee took into consideration the apologies and the sincere remorse shown by Maradona in its decision, which was communicated to him at the end of the meeting.”
Maradona flew from Madrid, where his side lost 2-1 to Spain in a friendly on Saturday, to Zurich to appear before the tribunal in person.
Maradona rounded on his critics after Argentina beat arch- rivals Uruguay 1-0 in Montevideo in October to secure their berth in SA in the last game of an 18-match qualifying campaign.
He launched into an expletive- filled rant when interviewed on the touchline and produced another outburst in the post- match media conference, which was broadcast live on several television networks.
The 1986 World Cup winner had been heavily criticised for defeats against Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay that left twice world champions Argentina on the brink of failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1970.
Appointed in October last year, Maradona’s coaching credentials and team selections have been repeatedly questioned by critics.//Business Day
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