Maradona banned from World Cup draw

Argentina coach Diego Maradona will be thrown out if he tries to attend the World Cup draw here this week, with Fifa on Wednesday making clear he was banned.

The foul-mouthed, former great was slapped with a two-month suspension from all football activities last month for his sexually-explicit rant after losing his cool with journalists following Argentina’s qualification.

The 49-year-old sporting icon, who skippered the 1986 World Cup-winning team, told journalists to “suck it and keep sucking it”.

Virtually all coaches from the 32 qualified teams are expected in Cape Town for Friday’s draw and there have been rumours that Maradona may try to be part of Argentina’s delegation.

But Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke said he would not be allowed to enter if he turned up.

“There is no way if he asks for accreditation,” he said.

“Maradona has been banned from football activities, not just matches, for two months and the draw is in that period of two months. We have been very clear.

“There have been rumours that he could join the Argentinean delegation and I sent a letter to them to say ‘be aware he is banned’.

“If Maradona arrives as a journalist for a media company his accreditation will not be issued by Fifa.

“We cannot stop him flying to South Africa but he will not attend the draw.”

Maradona’s outburst came after Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in October, which allowed the two-time world champions to squeeze narrowly into next year’s finals after a low-key and tense qualifying campaign.—AFP