Lagerback plays down not shaking Maradona’s hand

JOHANNESBURG - Nigerian coach Lars Lagerback played down the fact that he and Argentine coach Diego Maradona failed to shake hands after his side’s 0-1 defeat Saturday in a World Cup Group B encounter at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium.

“It’s custom but there is nothing to say you have to do it immediately after the match,” the Swede said when asked about why the normal post-match handshake never happened.

“I have nothing against Maradona,” he added. “It’s not a problem for me. I have a lot of respect for him.

Gabriel Heinze scored the only goal of the game for Argentina, heading home a Juan Veron corner after six minutes.