FIFA president Blatter says Maradona’s outburst will lead to disciplinary hearing

Diego Maradona’s outburst leads to FIFA hearing

CAIRO — Diego Maradona could be disciplined by soccer’s governing body for his profanity-filled tirade on live television after Argentina qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Friday from the Under-20 World Cup that it is “my duty and my obligation” to refer the matter to his organization’s disciplinary committee.

“The reports we have received so far leave us no other alternative,” he said.

Maradona’s expletives were mostly directed at his critics and reporters following the 1-0 victory over Uruguay on Wednesday.

Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and the 1990 final, has been under intense pressure during Argentina’s erratic qualifying campaign, which included a 6-1 loss in Bolivia and a 3-1 loss to Brazil at home.

“The qualification of Argentina has been expected everywhere in the world,” Blatter said. “Argentina is a powerhouse in football and always has been. Therefore, we welcome the team of Argentina.”

Although Argentina won its final two qualifying matches, both were scrappy wins with late goals. Martin Palermo scored three minutes into injury time for a 2-1 victory over Peru. A draw against Uruguay would have been enough to qualify for the tournament in South Africa as one of the top four South American teams.

Before the wins, polls showed a majority of Argentina’s fans thought Maradona was unfit to coach the national team despite his great success as a player.

Maradona stood his ground in a radio interview Thursday before Blatter made his announcement. He said his “very big outburst” came after a week of heavy criticism.

“If someone feels wounded, I’ll apologize if they want,” he said. “And if not, I’m sorry.”

However, later in his interview with Argentina’s Radio Continental, he said: “I have nothing to apologize for.”

He called his media critics “anti-Argentine,” saying he won’t forgive them for wanting “Argentina to be left out of the World Cup.”

Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona, who appointed Maradona and is Blatter’s No. 2 official at FIFA, told The Associated Press on Friday that “if it were another coach or player, the matter would not have had such importance.”

Grondona said “everybody knows he’s a temperamental person and he’s already said he won’t speak like that again.”

Grondona said he would discuss the issue with Blatter, but predicted Maradona’s comments would soon blow over.