Maradona could face ban for outburst

Argentina coach Diego Maradona could be banned for several matches and fined for an obscenity-filled outburst at a news conference after Wednesday's World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay.

"We're now opening a disciplinary case against the Argentine coach and now it's up to the relevant party in FIFA to enforce it," a FIFA spokesman said yesterday.

He added that FIFA president Sepp Blatter had announced the governing body's intention to open a disciplinary case against Maradona.

According to article 58 of FIFA's disciplinary code, the sanction could be for a minimum of five matches, prohibit Maradona stadium access for the duration of the suspension and include a fine of at least $19,720.

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

His comments were broadcast live on several television stations.

Argentine FA president Julio Grondona said: "On Tuesday we'll discuss this at the executive committee's meeting and see what we do."

Maradona has been heavily criticised for defeats against Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay that took twice world champions Argentina to the brink of failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1970.