Maradona banned from football until 2010
Diego Maradona banned from "any football-related activity" for two months over foul-mouthed rant last month
Sunday, 15, Nov 2009 06:50
By Matthew Champion
Diego Maradona has been banned from "any football-related activity" for two months and fined for a four-letter outburst at journalists in October.
Fifa's disciplinary committee imposed the ban and a 25,000 Swiss franc (£14,815) fine over Maradona's notorious rant that followed his Argentina team securing their place at next year's World Cup.
The foul-mouthed tirade, which came after victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on October 14th, was in response to criticism from the press during a laborious qualifying campaign that saw Maradona use more than 70 players.
Following a three-hour hearing in Zurich today, Fifa said Maradona had "apologised to Fifa and the world football family".
"The committee took into consideration the apologies and the sincere remorse shown by Maradona in its decision, which was communicated to him at the end of the meeting."
Fifa's ban on Maradona, 49, does not lift until January 15th next year. Maradona had flown to Switzerland after watching his side lose 2-1 to European champions Spain in a friendly.