Friday, 16 Oct 2009 16:46
Diego Maradona could be in trouble with the authorities for hurling obscenities at journalists
By Alistair Potter.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona is to be investigated by world football's governing body Fifa after a foul-mouthed verbal assault on journalists on Wednesday.
Maradona's side claimed a place at next summer's World Cup finals after a last-gasp 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Uruguay in Montevideo.
And in a post-match press conference, the Argentinean legend rounded on members of the media who he claims have been attempting to undermine his reign as national team coach.
"All the people who doubted me, who doubted us in the national team, and treated me with no respect, like I was rubbish - this is for you," he said of the victory, which earned Argentina the fourth and final South American qualifying spot.
"May all the ladies in the room please excuse me - but you [gathered journalists] may suck my d**k."
Fifa are due to look at tapes of the press conference and could charge Maradona with a breach of article 58 of the disciplinary code, which prohibits the "offending the dignity of a person or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or actions concerning race, colour, language, religion or origin".
If Maradona is charged and found guilty of breaching the code of conduct, he could be handed a minimum ban of five matches, a substantial fine and a stadium ban for the Argentinean national team.
At the same press conference, Maradona went on to thank the supporters and players but pointedly withheld praise for the national media.
"I would like to thank the team for giving me the privilege to lead Argentina to the World Cup," he said.
"Thank you to the Argentinean people who had faith.
"But those who did not believe in the national team and treated me like dirt - they will now have to accept this.
"I want to thank the players and fans - no one but them."