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Montevideo, March 29th 2024 - 02:35 UTC

 

 

Maradona asked by FIFA “to behave in a respectful manner”

Saturday, June 30th 2018 - 15:34 UTC
Full article 3 comments
FIFA was aware of incidents such as that during Argentina's vital group game against Nigeria in St. Petersburg last Tuesday FIFA was aware of incidents such as that during Argentina's vital group game against Nigeria in St. Petersburg last Tuesday
Colin Smith said “Diego Maradona, obviously one of the greatest footballers who ever lived, is a part of that.” Colin Smith said “Diego Maradona, obviously one of the greatest footballers who ever lived, is a part of that.”

Diego Maradona might be a giant of the game's history, FIFA said on Friday, but even he must show respect to other fans at World Cup stadiums. Asked about complaints that the 57-year-old had made an obscene gesture at other spectators after Argentina snatched a late win on Wednesday, FIFA's World Cup chief executive Colin Smith told reporters that the former Argentine player was a valued part of its Legends program to promote the game.

“The players who helped write the history of football have a part to play,” Smith said. “Diego Maradona, obviously one of the greatest footballers who ever lived, is a part of that.”

But, saying FIFA was aware of incidents such as that during Argentina's vital group game against Nigeria in St. Petersburg, he added: “We would expect all players, former players, staff, fans, everyone to behave in a respectful manner.”

During the game, Maradona drew attention with his antics in the stands, lapping up adulation from fans, unveiling a poster of himself and seemingly falling asleep at one point. Then, after Marcos Rojo's 86th-minute winner secured Argentina's place in the last 16, he made a middle-finger gesture with both hands.

“From the hands of God, to the fingers of shame,” read one headline in Latin America, referring to Maradona's “Hand of God” goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.

The Argentine is no stranger to controversy, having once shot at journalists with an air rifle, and he has battled cocaine and alcohol addictions.

Top Comments

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  • Little J

    There cannot be any doubts anybody's mind that Maradona was a brilliant player in his day. Today he is just a buffoon who is being used by some to promote their own interests, taking advantage of his physical and mental health ruined by all sorts of excesses,and not only due to drugs. A sad ending to what was a brilliant football career.

    Jun 30th, 2018 - 08:39 pm +1
  • golfcronie

    I totally agree,but he is such an arrogant piece of s**t like most Argies.

    Jul 01st, 2018 - 10:52 pm +1
  • Pete Bog

    He wasn't that great . There was a game where England played the rest of the world with Maradonna in the game, but in that game Bryan Robson played and he cancelled Maradonna out

    Jul 05th, 2018 - 12:30 pm 0
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