Soccer
UAE fines Maradona $2 500
2011-12-29 14:57
Dubai - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Football Association has fined Argentine football legend Diego Maradona 9 000 dirhams (2 500 dollars) for making "offensive" remarks about the coach of a rival team.
Maradona, who coaches Dubai-based club Al Wasl, said on Thursday he accepted the fine, but vowed not to mend his ways.
"I'll continue to make criticisms at press conferences. I will not stop until my club, Al Wasl, gets its rights," he told reporters.
Maradona had scathingly criticized his colleague at Al Ain Cosmin Olaroiu after a local game between their teams late last month.
"The penalty also included issuing a warning against Maradona," the official at the Football Association's disciplinary board told dpa.
He added that the penalty against Maradona was taken in response to a complaint from Al Ain.
Following his team's loss to Al Ain, Maradona called Olaroiu disrespectful after the rival coach and his staff directed their celebrations at him.
"While the coach is entitled to celebrate the team's victories, there is a manner and a way of doing so without aggravating the opponent," Maradona told a press conference.
In the Arab world, calling someone impolite is considered a serious offence.
Maradona has been coaching Al Wasl since May under a two-year contract.