Dubai: "Goalkeepers are a different breed," Diego Maradona reflected on Tuesday night after he was left bemused by the actions of shot-stoppers Majid Nasser, Walter Zenga and Peter Shilton.
While Al Wasl goalkeeper Nasser, 27, has announced his premature retirement after receiving a 17-match ban for slapping the back of Al Ahli coach Quique Sanchez Flores' head earlier this month, Al Nasr coach Zenga stands accused of making disparaging comments about UAE residents after his team's shock Pro League loss to Dubai last Friday.
On top of this, keeper-turned-pundit Peter Shilton — Maradona's 1986 World Cup ‘Hand of God' foe — flew into Abu Dhabi for TV work recently without even coming to Dubai to shake hands with the Al Wasl coach. After his side's 3-1 win over Bahrain's Riffa, which took Al Wasl to the top of Group D in the GCC Champions League, at Zabeel Stadium on Tuesday night, Maradona said: "Goalkeepers always have different reactions to others.
"Never in all my career did I feel the need to quit. Definitely, there were many rough times, but on the contrary, football helped me get over it. I'd never leave football for anything. I urge Nasser to reconsider because keepers last a long time in the game and he still has a long journey ahead of him. He has a lot left to perform and give back to football.
"We were appealing against Nasser's ban and then he announced his retirement. We are trying to convince him against it. It was a harsh ban. He's apologised and deeply regrets his actions but no one seems to care about his feelings. I will convince him to stay in the game because he plays a vital role for his club and country."
Meanwhile, on Zenga, who was quoted as saying "everyone is crazy in this country", Maradona said: "I spoke to Zenga and asked him what happened. We both live here in the UAE and compete against one another.
Zenga meant no disrespect
"After speaking to Zenga, I know he meant no disrespect. His comments were specific to people in the local football industry, not the country. He loves it here and his comments were misinterpreted. It wasn't political. I can guarantee nothing said was meant."
These two incidents came just days after Maradona said Shilton should "get over" their controversial 1986 match, adding: "I will not apologise for something that happened 25 years ago."
