Argentina's Soccer Coach, Maradona Slapped With 2 Month Ban

Argentina's football coach, Diego Maradona was slapped with a 2 month ban by FIFA for derogatory comments made to journalists during a press conference. The ban is on 'all football activities' and will last up to January 15th 2010.

Always controversial as a player, Maradona continued his controversies with a tongue lashing aimed at journalists in a press conference after Argentina's 1-0 win over Uruguay last month. The win ensured that Argentina qualified for the 2010 World Cup, something critics were hoping would not happen.

In a post match conference, Maradona lashed back at the press for all the criticism thrown at him during the qualifying campaign. He openly insulted the journalists present, making comments such as "It's (the win) going to all Argentineans, except the journalists". This comment was, however, just the tip of the iceberg, with Maradona continuing an abusive tirade against the press. He also claimed that the journalists treated him like dirt, saying, "They [journalists] treat me like dirt, but we qualified with honor. I dedicate this to all of the Argentinean people and my family, but one sector does not deserve it [referring to journalists] because they treated me like garbage. They invented fights with [Carlos] Bilardo, among other things."

But the worst was still to come, with the 1986 World Cup-winning captain making derogatory comments all his critics, and to those who did not support him. "If the ladies will pardon the expression...But certain people who have not supported me, and you know who you are, can keep sucking," the player, considered to be the greatest of all time, said.

With such comments, it was certain that there was going to be action taken, and though FIFAs disciplinary panel heard Maradona plead his case for almost 3 hours, they upheld a decision to exclude him from all soccer related activities for the next 2 months. FIFA also said that Maradona apologized to the football fraternity and showed 'sincere remorse' for his actions.

Maradona is considered by many to be the best football player ever, and tied with Pele for the first place in an Internet vote for the 'Player of the Century' Award. In a career already rife with controversy, this 2 month ban will be yet another incident for his critics to play up. Incidentally, this ban means that Maradona will miss a friendly match between Argentina and the Czech Republic scheduled on December 16th. For his millions of fans, one can just hope that Diego Maradona gets his act together in time for the 2010 World Cup.