Maradona refuses to talk about possible ban

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MADRID (AP)—Argentina coach Diego Maradona is refusing to discuss his outburst on live TV last month after a World Cup qualifier.

The Argentine soccer great will attend a hearing at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland on Sunday. During a news conference Thursday, he would not speculate on possible punishment.

Maradona’s expletive-filled remarks on TV followed Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Uruguay, prompting a FIFA investigation. His conduct could result in a five-game suspension and nearly $20,000 fine.

Argentina is a two-time World Cup champion but did not earn a spot in the 2010 tournament until the last qualifying game. Argentina plays Spain in an exhibition game Saturday.

Updated Nov 12, 5:42 pm EST
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45 Comments

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  1. COPAmundial
    45. Posted by COPAmundial Sat Nov 14 9:53am EST

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    If FIFA suspends Maradona, why didn't they do the same to Aguirre of mexico for kicking a Panamenian player?
  2. COPAmundial
    44. Posted by COPAmundial Sat Nov 14 9:51am EST

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    Argie62, you know nothing about soccer. As a matter of fact you are a mental midget when it comes to soccer!!! Maradona was THE KING!!!!
  3. Mike
    43. Posted by Mike Fri Nov 13 10:00pm EST

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    The FACT is that if you know anything about Football, you know tht Maradona was the best ever player to play the Game. Yes, Batistuta and DiStefano were also great players from Argentina, but Diego is without peer. His personal life became a shambles, but the fact remains that as a player he is without peer.

    Pele, Kruyf, Zidane, Puscas and others have come close in comparison, but they still come up short.
  4. Chi-Town
    42. Posted by Chi-Town Fri Nov 13 7:05pm EST

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    Argie62;
    Maradona the best..? hahah.. he was good yeah but the most intersting thing about him was that he was a midget with excellent ball control. He only used one foot, his great moments include going through 4 guys, and scoring a goal with his fist. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying he was no good but the best - HELL no.. He's not even the best footballer to come out of Argentina. The best player to come out of Argentina is Bautistuta. You can just look it up yourself.. he was a better all round footballer. And if you're Argentinian you really shouldn't be talking about Mexicans, Ever been to Mexico..? It's full of stick'n Argentians who immagrate to my parents country because they'd starve in Argentina. I'm not talking hot air.. Guanajuato, Mexico City, Guadalajara - all infested with Argentinians. So before mouthing Mexicans, know we're supporting a lot of you.
  5. Chi-Town
    41. Posted by Chi-Town Fri Nov 13 7:05pm EST

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    Argie62;
    Maradona the best..? hahah.. he was good yeah but the most intersting thing about him was that he was a midget with excellent ball control. He only used one foot, his great moments include going through 4 guys, and scoring a goal with his fist. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying he was no good but the best - HELL no.. He's not even the best footballer to come out of Argentina. The best player to come out of Argentina is Bautistuta. You can just look it up yourself.. he was a better all round footballer. And if you're Argentinian you really shouldn't be talking about Mexicans, Ever been to Mexico..? It's full of stick'n Argentians who immagrate to my parents country because they'd starve in Argentina. I'm not talking hot air.. Guanajuato, Mexico City, Guadalajara - all infested with Argentinians. So before mouthing Mexicans, know we're supporting a lot of you.
  6. Chi-Town
    40. Posted by Chi-Town Fri Nov 13 7:05pm EST

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    Argie62;
    Maradona the best..? hahah.. he was good yeah but the most intersting thing about him was that he was a midget with excellent ball control. He only used one foot, his great moments include going through 4 guys, and scoring a goal with his fist. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying he was no good but the best - HELL no.. He's not even the best footballer to come out of Argentina. The best player to come out of Argentina is Bautistuta. You can just look it up yourself.. he was a better all round footballer. And if you're Argentinian you really shouldn't be talking about Mexicans, Ever been to Mexico..? It's full of stick'n Argentians who immagrate to my parents country because they'd starve in Argentina. I'm not talking hot air.. Guanajuato, Mexico City, Guadalajara - all infested with Argentinians. So before mouthing Mexicans, know we're supporting a lot of you.
  7. HELLO
    39. Posted by HELLO Fri Nov 13 4:46pm EST

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    Usa usa usa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  8. Argie62
    37. Posted by Argie62 Fri Nov 13 2:30pm EST

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    Must of you haters don't know anything about football, but sure can make a lot od stupid comments. What are you doing in this blog? Don't you have a better place to write your discriminating and racist remarks? Is your team that unimportant that theirs no news at all that you can comment? Diego Maradona was the best player in the World and is nothing that you, LOSERS, can do about it. And for the always stinking mexicans that don't have anywhere to go because their sorry team sucks and nobody even care about any news that could come from them, I feel sorry for you, really, it most be a disgrace to be part of a country that has 130 million people and the only players that they can get their hands on are a bunch of old farts that nobody knows. It most suck big time that your national team is one of the lowest quality teams in this World Cup. Mexico can't beat nobody, even if Argentina play with the "reserves". Just wait until they start playing the incoming "friendly games", and you will see what a poor and undeveloped team look like. I'll be surprise if they even tied one of those games. mexico will said good bye to the World Cup 2010 after the secong game in the first round.
  9. Brian W
    36. Posted by Brian W Fri Nov 13 8:30am EST

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    FIFA may as well fine him 20 million dollars! The Italians, who he supposedly owes millions in taxes to, have pretty much cleaned him out!! Even took the ear-rings off his ears the last time he was in Italy!! It would be in the best interests of FIFA and Argentina if they just threw him to the curb and told him to get lost!! However, FIFA being as money-hungry as everyone else, will not do that. Maradona has become an anti-celebrity who draws a lot of negative media attention. This is the best kind and will fill up the stadiums when Argentina plays!
  10. <i>harrisonrhiro</i>
    35. Posted by harrisonrhiro Fri Nov 13 2:10am EST

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    Maradona are u on drugs again.
  11. ed
    34. Posted by ed Fri Nov 13 2:00am EST

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    Oh yes! to the commentator that even Mexico can beat Argentina..........sure they can............for 20 years half the Mexican league has been full of Argentine players, not just them but ALL of Latin American. There improvement of soccer is totally the result of Argentina! Admit it!
  12. Jonny Boi
    33. Posted by Jonny Boi Fri Nov 13 12:17am EST

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    I hope they do give him the 5 match suspension. I don't care who he thinks he is. You win a World Cup and 20 years later you think you can do whatever you want? Hell no. Argentina will not make it past the Round of 16 and then the AFA is going to fire him.
  13. Anthony L
    32. Posted by Anthony L Fri Nov 13 12:15am EST

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    I think Argentina are going to have problems in WC 2010. I think they will get out of the Round of 16 but I doubt they will get out of the quarterfinals even with their attack really faltering and defense letting the GK down and conceding goals. This has to be a moment of desperation for Argentina. I think Maradona will be banned before then however
  14. Fredy
    31. Posted by Fredy Thu Nov 12 10:57pm EST

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    @COPAmundial, lol, wow you're a really mature person, got a question for you?? Why does my comment bother you so much??? He's a disgrace to soccer as a coach, he's one of those proud @#$%s that wont admit to their mistakes. He WAS good when he was in his primen as a player, he's NOT GOOD as a coach, specially with all the talent , he needs Riquelme back on the National team whether he wants to admit it or not. LMFAO, copamundial, thanks for the laughs....
  15. COPAmundial
    30. Posted by COPAmundial Thu Nov 12 10:41pm EST

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    Sit on it, Fredy!!!
  16. Fredy
    29. Posted by Fredy Thu Nov 12 10:11pm EST

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    He's probably gonna use this line at that meeting.....THE COKE MADE ME DO IT....AND SO DID THE DEVIL...
    Ban his @#$% ass for life, he's a disgrace to soccer. Yeah he WAS good in his prime, but he really @#$%ed all that up with his drug addiction...
  17. Tashi delek
    28. Posted by Tashi delek Thu Nov 12 10:05pm EST

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    wadeva i don't care, but MARADONA IS THE BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST LOVE YAAA
  18. "WHOLETRUTHY"
    27. Posted by "WHOLETRUTHY" Thu Nov 12 9:52pm EST

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    Maradona is useless commie druggie
  19. str8J
    26. Posted by str8J Thu Nov 12 9:03pm EST

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    Argentina suck, this isn't 1986, this isn't 1960,....in today's world, the USA, Mexico and Costa can beat Argentina.
  20. cenzi
    25. Posted by cenzi Thu Nov 12 7:28pm EST

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    it was the coke talking
  21. Oscar
    24. Posted by Oscar Thu Nov 12 7:27pm EST

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    At #13 - How can they tear up defenses if they have no one passing them the ball?

    I am a huge Argentina supporter but the midfield is looking weak without a leader, and no I don't want them to bring cry-baby Riquelme into the fold.

    World Cup Prediction:

    Argentina - Semifinals losing to eventual winner Spain
  22. BarcaMANU
    23. Posted by BarcaMANU Thu Nov 12 6:15pm EST

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    For those who wished Argentina would not qualify, here they go. ARGENTINA FINALLY BEAT an IN-FORM URUGUAY in URUGUAY 1-0 for the 1st time in 30 years. (And that also without Riquelme, Cambaisso, Zanetti, Tevez, Aguero, and etc...) Iam sure if Argentina can bring an EXPERIENCED and a BETTER COACH with an ORGANIZED MANAGEMENT, Argentina not only would beat an-inform team, but win the WORLD CUP too....
  23. COPAmundial
    22. Posted by COPAmundial Thu Aug 27 1:44pm EDT

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    #17, sit on an EGG!!!
  24. COPAmundial
    21. Posted by COPAmundial Thu Aug 27 1:43pm EDT

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    #17, sit on an EGG!!!
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