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Maradona could face five-match ban for outburst

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-17 01:31

BUENOS AIRES - Diego Maradona could face a suspension of up to five matches for an obscenity-filled outburst at a news conference after Argentina's World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay, FIFA Sepp Blatter said on Friday.

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona celebrates Mario Bolatti's goal against Uruguay in their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Montevideo October 14, 2009. Argentina won 1-0 and qualified for the 2010 World Cup. [Agencies]

"We are now opening a disciplinary case against the Argentine coach and now it's up the relevant party in FIFA -- the FIFA disciplinary committee - to enforce it," said a FIFA spokesman, confirming the announcement made earlier by Blatter in Cairo.

The sanction could go from a simple warning to several games, the spokesman said.

Maradona, relieved at Argentina's last-gasp qualification for the 2010 finals after a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo, used bad language when he hit out at critics who had questioned his coaching ability.

His comments were broadcast live on several television stations.