Dubai: Diego Maradona unleashed yet another salvo demanding the removal of arch-enemy and Fifa President Sepp Blatter.
Maradona, who on Monday tied up with Dubai-based Active Exim General Trading LLC for the launch of their new ‘Style C’ drink that bears his 1986 World Cup winning scene and name, was once again at his best at the media conference, taking constant shots against Blatter during the brief interaction.
Considered a living legend of football, the Dubai sports ambassador has been having a running feud with the head of world football’s governing body. Possibly, the only time the two have agreed was at the end of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil, when both admitted that Lionel Messi did not deserve the Golden Ball award.
“Blatter knows nothing of what happens in the world of football. He must first realise that it is the football players who bring so much joy to millions of fans across the world, while he and his friends sit in air-conditioned surroundings and drink. This cannot continue. This needs to stop. Anyway, he is too old and it would be a shame for my sport to see him contesting the elections yet again,” Maradona said.
Known for his impetuous behavior, the 53-year-old Argentine then took time off and sang a Spanish ditty for his partner Rocio Oliva.
He then went on to explain why he had stayed away from the World Cup in Brazil, preferring instead to take on the role of commentator for a Buenos Aires-based television station.
“It’s simple. I don’t want to be around when he [Blatter] is there. How can I be among people who know absolutely nothing about the sport they run?” he asked.
On the contrary, he said, he is making plans to attend the Gulf Cup being held in Saudi Arabia from Thursday.
“The Arab world and the people from the Gulf love and respect me. They acknowledge what I have done for football, and they have sent me an invitation. I will go to attend the Gulf Cup in Riyadh,” the former Al Wasl coach said.
Maradona admitted he was missing the intensity and action of every day football.
“Yes, I want to be a coach of one of the big teams in Dubai again. But I also realise that there are several other aspects that need to be taken care of before I can take up another job. He [Blatter] is constantly on the look-out to see how I can be kept out of football, and I am aware that he has been influencing football officials in the UAE FA to keep me out,” he charged.
“Dubai is the best place in the world for anyone. But I really think that Dubai is the best, but only after Buenos Aires,” Maradona added.
