Maradona in hot water with FIFA

[rabs]

Maradona at the news conference


At the post-match news conference after Argentina classified against Uruguay this past Wednesday, Maradona lashed out at the Argentine journalists who had scorched him duing the qualifying campaign.

Maradona used heavy-caliber language ... he told the journalists to "suck this" and "keep on sucking."

Today Blatter said in Egypt that the FIFA had no choice but to open a disciplinary hearing against Maradona, and according to FIFA rules, Maradona could be banned by up to five matches.

Look like the "Hand of God" has returned to slap him but good, because of his big mouth.

(For Spanish speakers, if this one does not work, there are other videos at the same site)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muKubRBTYao&feature=youtube_gdata

[Rambis]

1. Good footballer

terrible manager and not a very nice person. The tax man will be comin for those earrings soon.

[Lord Tredegars Macaw]

2. One of the greatest footballers of all time but....

I shan't shed many tears for him if he fails utterly as the Argentina manager, especially since he made the 8 year old me weep buckets of tears at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

I know he scored one of the greatest goals of all time in that infamous quarter final against England, but the 'Hand of God' really hurt back then. Uncle Bobby Robson was right: "It wasn't the hand of God. It was the hand of a rascal. God had nothing to do with it!"

[rabs]

3. Maradona to appear before FIFA today

Maradona will be facing a hearing for his ill-advised, obscene comments he made to Argentina journalists at a post-match news conference in Montevideo last month. Argentina qualified for South Africa in the match against Uruguay.

He will be flying to Zurich today (Sunday) with anArgentine Football Federation lawyer.

Speculation in the Argentine delegation is that Maradona will be levied a stiff fine but no suspension in upcoming FIFA matches, i.e. the World Cup.

FIFA rules could mean a five-game suspension, which would mean Maradona could not coach the first round in S.A., but could return if Argentina makes it to the semifinal round.

Even that is doubtful; Argentina lost yesterday (Saturday) to Spain in a friendly, 1-2. So Argentina under Maradona continues to be woeful.

[rabs]

4. FIFA sanctions Maradona (but mildly)

Maradona apologized to FIFA and "the grand family of world football."

Maradona has been suspended from any football activity for two months and fined U$S 24,700.

He cannot coach until Jan. 15, 2010, but that will only affect him for one game, a friendly against Johan Cruyff's Catalunya in Barcelona on 22 December.

At the 40-minute hearing in Zurich, FIFA warned Maradona that any repetition of his gross conduct would mean harsher sanctions in the future.