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Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:52 pm EDT

Maradona wants Argentinean media to, um, eat their words

By Martin Rogers

Diego Maradona

Getty Images

Diego Maradona's decision to use his "Hand of God" in a rather undignified manner could rule him out of coaching at the World Cup.

The Argentina boss grabbed his genitals with both hands during a foul-mouthed rant following his side's qualification for the World Cup on Wednesday and now faces a disciplinary hearing.

Maradona, who has been under fire for months after Argentina nearly failed to reach South Africa, told his critics that they could "keep on sucking." See for yourself.

With his outburst broadcast live on television to a South American audience of millions, FIFA has been left with no option but to take action, meaning he could be banished from the dugout for up to five matches. Such a punishment would mean he would only resume sideline duties if Argentina reached the World Cup semifinals. A one- or two-game ban is probably the most likely outcome.

Argentinean journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo gave this excellent account of Maradona's latest public meltdown in British newspaper The Guardian.

The truly extraordinary thing is how Maradona could have realistically expected anything other than heavy criticism, given the team's dreadful displays. With two games left in qualifying, elimination was a serious possibility, but it was unthinkable for a nation boasting such a long soccer history, not to mention the best player in the world in Lionel Messi.

Maradona still has a lot of convincing to do before anyone starts believing he is the right man to lead Argentina to World Cup glory. But if this week is anything to go by, either way, it's going to be one heck of a ride.

Share your thoughts and comments below.

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71 Comments

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  1. j d
    1. Posted by j d Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    Maradona should just come out of retirement and play in the World Cup. Well maybe not. But FIFA ought to be happy they get Maradona as a storyline in South Africa. I know the S. African would love to see his antics.
    Never a dull moment with Maradona.
  2. Bob
    2. Posted by Bob Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:00 pm EDT

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    Maradona earned reputation as semi-god in Argentina and Napoli despite his antics in the past and people used to respect him a lot. Unfortunately, he did not improve his attitude and his decision to take control of his national team has led him to horrible things for him and for the team. This is one of the most infamous things about him - and one of the most obvious ones. I feel sorry for him because people started losing some of the respect for him. He should have been better in his retirement. He could just be a football pundit.
  3. mahal_130
    3. Posted by mahal_130 Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:44 am EDT

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    from my side maradona is a legand & a suppersatr footballer he sould led argentina in the 2010 world cup as a coach from indiaen people we respect him & we want him to see in the world cup he may give the 2010 world cup to Argentina.
  4. EdiousK
    4. Posted by EdiousK Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:53 am EDT

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    Maradona! What a class act. I seriously think Argentina will be more of a threat in South Africa if Maradona isn't there. They have undoubtedly some of the best talent in the world, but this guy has really failed to make them gel. Qualifying by a whisker is not something you should be proud of if you have such immense talent at your disposal.
  5. luigit
    5. Posted by luigit Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:31 am EDT

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    Greatest player ever......
    mediocre coach......
  6. Ismith
    6. Posted by Ismith Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:33 am EDT

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    you must believe i am a true fan of Diego he has a lot of passion for his team, but he should know that the media is going to critici if he does not go far with all these talent he has on his roster. He must not loose his cool must stay focus look at the big picture put his difference aside Argentina deserve to win a world cup i have been waiting far too long to celebrate.Diego i like you must come down . GOOD LUCK TAKE TO THE PROMISSE LAND I"VE BEEN WAITING SINCE 1986.
  7. Robert S
    7. Posted by Robert S Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:37 am EDT

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    Mediocre coach, that is giving him the benefit of the doubt. Great player though a cheat and a terrible coach.
  8. fedfan
    8. Posted by fedfan Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:48 am EDT

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    Maradona is far and away the greatest foot ball player ever to live, at least that is the belief of the vast majority of the foot ball fans around the world - remember the FIFA vote and the foolish prejudice to Maradona shown by FIFA, I for one thought Pele should have shown the dignity to refuse the FIFA award there by giving due respect to the will of the people.
    As the personification of sheer foot ball magic Maradona is matchless. Still his failings as a human being are demoralising for which he had to pay with both his body and soul. He had to take punishments, eat insults and more than once he was on the brink of physical death. As a foot baller he achieved every thing, only time will tell whether he would be a success as a coach. There is reason for us to be optimistic because he is a genius capable of sublime magic.
  9. victor P
    9. Posted by victor P Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:03 am EDT

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    I saw Maradona play from his first days in Argentina and follow him trough out his career greatest player ever next to Pele. It is a shame of his runt but also he has been without support of the players to come back to play for their country in the qualifying I believe he is frustrated. Argentina will make more than Waves in 2010 they will be Real World Champions once again!
  10. Roberto E
    10. Posted by Roberto E Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:20 am EDT

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    Still an ass. Still a clown. Still a buffoon. That is Maradonna.
  11. Juan
    11. Posted by Juan Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:20 am EDT

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    Argentina's soccer have been in decline for years. They didn't even qualified for the U-20 this year and the mayor last win was 1993 Copa America. They haven't been a factor in the cup since 1990. The AFA is a sham and grondona and his cronies have been in power for 30 years. Good argentine coaches are ignored by grondona because they do not kiss his but. And now grondona play this black joke of selecting a brainless thug as a coach. The slide to mediocrity will continue until grondona dissapear. I'm sorry for the players.
  12. COPAmundial
    12. Posted by COPAmundial Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:35 am EDT

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    I predict an Argentina vs Italy final!!!
  13. mikebdb22
    13. Posted by mikebdb22 Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:19 am EDT

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    A pig of a man.....the lowest scum
  14. dave d
    14. Posted by dave d Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:22 am EDT

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    Go Diego Go. The media worldwide is the real scum. Not men enough to admit he got Argentina to the World Cup.
  15. m
    15. Posted by m Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:22 am EDT

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    coke addicted, burrito eating leftist. He should pay his taxes in Italy and seek out help from Michael Jackson's doctor.
  16. Ivan A
    16. Posted by Ivan A Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:26 am EDT

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    Paraguay and Chile with Argentinian coaches and players less talented than Argentina, made it to South Africa with room to spare. Under Maradona´s leadership, Argentina made it during the last game. Its clear, he is a sub par coach. Argentina with the world´s best player and one of the best rosters of class players in the world, deserve a better coach.
  17. opacaoa
    17. Posted by opacaoa Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:17 pm EDT

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    I am from the Andes too and Maradona is not the best soccer player ever.It is Pele. Even pele scored more goals than Maradona. He was a true gentleman in the field of play even when other players hurt him.I saw him play when I was a child. Even better, Pele never made any stupid spectacles like Maradona and he never was known to take illegal drugs like Maradona.The only ones that say that Maradona is the best player ever are the Argentinians. So, ask the rest of the world and they'll tell you that Pele was and still is the "BEST'.
    It is sad that after such an ugly and low-down insult to the public that there are people who want to excuse his bad behavior with his soccer history.That doesn't make any sence! What is bad is bad!
    Argentinia has great soccer, and great soccer players.They keep the continuity up through the years. I think any Nation should be inbarrased for having such an inmature and insulting person as a national soccer coach. To have character he should be removed from his place with a person of respect and caliver like Menoti or the previous coach who took Argentina to the quarter finals.I say hooray for Argentinian soccer and BOOOOO to insulent and stupid Maradona!
  18. Mike
    18. Posted by Mike Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:31 pm EDT

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    History lesson for you Haters out there.
    Argentina Football is not in "decline"
    SIX - U-20 World Cup titles.
    TWO - Olympic Gold Medals in a row.
    More Libertadores Cups than any other country
    World Best Current player - Messi
    And of course:
    DIEGO MARADONA - BEST PLAYER EVER. PERIOD.
  19. Dj ABC
    19. Posted by Dj ABC Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:43 pm EDT

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    Maradona was a great player, we all know that. This does not automatically give him carte blanche to do anything he wants anytime his engorged ego gets a little tested.
    He has always had personal issues, he always will, and they are becoming painfully more obvious in his antics and lack or professionalism as a coach. I just hope the Argentinian football heads will tell him to step down so we can all go back to enjoying the beautiful game his country once played.
    p.s. Bring back Juan Román Riquelme
  20. Adrian G
    20. Posted by Adrian G Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:07 pm EDT

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    Just another example of why Maradona is a cult hero to so many throughout the world. Diego will be given a slap on the hand (of god) for his antics. A match ban would be quite shocking to be honest. Viva Diego!!
  21. Colo Colo
    21. Posted by Colo Colo Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    what a laugher this guy is
  22. Morty
    22. Posted by Morty Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:16 pm EDT

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    the guy is a lowlife, skumbag. 'nuff said.
  23. MartinPeters
    23. Posted by MartinPeters Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:17 pm EDT

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    If he were the US coach then US fans might actually get the coach they deserve.
  24. David E
    24. Posted by David E Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:50 pm EDT

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    Look at his photos - priceless!! All those earrings for selling coke and the other photo - looks like his just tooted a handful of blow! fffffffffffffffffffffffff - WHOAAAAAAAAAA! Damn coke-head will be brain-dead soon, if not already!
  25. Wallbanger
    25. Posted by Wallbanger Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:05 pm EDT

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    You're ALL crazy!! GEORGE BEST IS THE GREATEST PLAYER WHO EVER LIVED!!!!!!!!! Just because he played for the pathetic Northern Ireland national team takes nothing away from his true greatness!! I defy anyone to say I'm wrong in a credible manner!!

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