The world of football [soccer] received the news about the decision of FIFA to ban Maradona for his insults. Maradona insulted the press and his critics during a press conference after Argentina defeated Uruguay in order to classify for the 2010 World Cup.
The ban which is effective from the 15th of November 2009 to the 15th of January 2010 includes missing a World Cup draw and a friendly game. Maradona was also fined the equivalent of 15,000 Pound Sterlings.
FIFA could have imposed stricter penalties but relented after Maradona expressed «remorse». Regardless, FIFA has said [and it is hoped that they will comply with their word] it will impose stricter bans if there is a repeat offense. FIFA imposed its ban using Article 57 of its regulations which deals with «offensive gestures and language» instead of Article 58 and its 5 match ban.
While the underwriter is content that FIFA at least applied some form of punishment on Maradona, they should have applied a severe punishment using both Articles 57 and 58. The period of Maradona as a coach of the Argentine National Team has seen the team descend to lower levels.
Maradona has antagonized two influential players of his country Juan Roman Riquelme and Carlos Bilardo. Riquelme retired citing «incompatibility of characters] and Maradona suggested that «Bilardo remain in te bleachers wearing a suit and tie». He has also antagonized neighboring countries including Brazil with his offensive comments.
It is hoped that one day Argentina would remove Maradona as coach and send him to retirement. For this to happen, Argentina would have to lose the majority of its games in the 2010 World Cup. It hurts the underwriter to say this but if this what it takes for Maradona to retire or be declared redundant then it would be the best thing.
http://my.nowpublic.com/fifa-bans-maradona
The news that FIFA has punished Maradona with a two month ban in football [soccer] as well as a fine of 25,000 Swiss Francs is great news. While some people have stated that the punishment is minimal, it is a beginning and better than nothing.
Before continuing the article, there are people who may think that the underwriter may have other motives in criticizing Maradona. The only motive is that his behaviour is unacceptable in the world of football [soccer]. The underwriter is not the only one
The Argentine Republic is even losing patience with Maradona with one of its principal stars Riquelme retiring because of «conflict of personality». Javier Saviola, Pablo Aimar, and Messi have also lost patience with the megalomaniac who calls himself «God».
Carlos Bilardo who was Maradona’s trainer during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico has also been subjected to insults such as «go put a tie». The icing on the cake was when he told journalists and opponents to «stick it up the a…». Afterwards, he groped his genitalia and challenged people to «s…. it».
The Football [Soccer] World as well as the rest of humanity [except for those who have not awakened yet] are seeing a megalomaniac spiraling out of control. It is a disgrace that a country such as Argentina whose Football [Soccer] team was one of the best has to put up with such a repulsive personality.
It is of the opinion of the underwriter that Argentina should lose the 2010 World Cup [although it hurts him] if only to rid itself of this person who is nothing more than a shell of what he once was.
If the underwriter was a member of the FIFA Investigatory Committee, he would have applied Article 57 and 58 with a lifetime ban for violation of decency, discrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity as well as derrogatory remarks.
He also would have fined Maradona 10,000 Swiss Francs and have him sent for an evaluation by a psychiatrist. It is hoped that Maradona makes another mistake so that FIFA could impose a tighter punishment on him.
El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso 