Diego Maradona's turbulent reign as Argentina manager has taken a turn for the worse after FIFA banned him from all football-related activity for two months.
The announcement came after Argentina's 2-1 friendly loss to Spain in Madrid and has been complimented by a fine of 25,000 Swiss Francs (£15,000).
The cause of the punishment dates back to last month, after the two-time World Cup winners had scraped past rivals Uruguay to qualify for the 2010 tournament.
The 49 year old apologised for his remarks and a FIFA statemtent read: "The committee took into consideration the apologies and the sincere remorse shown by Maradona in its decision, which was communicated to him at the end of the meeting." Maradona was banned in accordance with Article 57 of FIFA's disciplinary code, relating to "offensive gestures or language."
Had he been found guilty of breaching Article 58, "[offending] the dignity of a person or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words," he could have been facing a five-match stadium ban, seeing him out of action until the World Cup quarter final stage.
To say that Maradona, who has been a controversial figure throughout his footballing career, has a strained relationship with Argentinian journalists is a grave understatement.
After his team had finally secured their passage to South Africa, the former Napoli star launched a foul tirade at the unwitting reporters, claiming that they "take it up the arse." He continued, telling them that 'they can suck it and keep on sucking it' before dedicating the victory, thanks to a 78th minute Mario Bolatti goal, to 'all Argentines, minus the journalists.'
Since being appointed as his national team's manager, Maradona has, reportedly, spectacularly fallen out with their once imperative playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and coach Carlos Bilardo.
The latter was vigorously denied by Maradona after the Uruguay game, claiming that the newspapers had 'invented the fights with Bilardo.' With time running out before the World Cup kicks off in June next year, news of the ban will certainly affect Argentina’s preparation.
During his one-year tenure, Maradona has used a total of 78 players as he searches the country to find his best starting eleven.
By David Brenchley
Source: DSG
