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South American Dispatch: No Snap Shots For Maradona and Cruyff
Goal.com’s Tim Sturtridge reports on FIFA sanctions disrupting the party in Catalonia, Vagner Love keen on a move and Messi put up against the wall by Estudiantes fans...
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Dec 21, 2009 10:50:00 AM
There will be no photographic evidence of a meeting between two of the game’s all time greats after Diego Maradona’s FIFA ban precluded his chat with Johan Cruyff being pictured.
The head coach of the Argentine team met up with Cruyff at the Juan Carlos I Hotel in Barcelona ahead of Tuesday’s friendly between Catalonia and Argentina at the Camp Nou.
A delegation representing the Argentina Football Association (AFA) including seven players were pictured with Cruyff as part of the celebrations surrounding the Dutchman’s first game in charge of the Catalonia team.
FIFA lawyers had sent word to the AFA that they recommended that Maradona did not take part in any public engagements ahead of Tuesday’s game as it could be seen as a breach of the sanctions put in place against the coach following his lewd outburst earlier in the year.
It was even suggested that if Maradona agreed to be snapped alongside Cruyff ahead of the game the Argentine coach could risk not being allowed to travel to South Africa.
The lack of a photo opportunity is believed to have angered the Catalan Football Federation (FCF), who view the game as the prefect opportunity to promote their team.
When Cruyff was asked about his meeting with Maradona he towed the party line in regards to the Argentines ban.
“We only spoke about each others' family because talking about football was forbidden by FIFA.” The Dutchman joked.
President of the FCF Jordi Casals confirmed that they have received a request from FIFA to ensure that Maradona watches the game from the stands.
“If Maradona is seen to be taking charge of the team I understand there could be an even higher penalty from FIFA. He could even be banned from the World Cup.” Casals said.
The players that travelled to Barcelona from Buenos Aires with Maradona were goalkeeper Diego Pozo (Colón); defenders Cristian Alvarez (Arsenal), Nicolás Otamendi and Emiliano Papa (both Vélez); midfielder Mario Bolatti (Huracán) and strikers Eduardo Salvio (Lanús) and Martín Palermo (Boca).
The squad were met by European based Argentines Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuaín (both Real Madrid).
Today the squad will be completed by the arrivals in Barcelona of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jesus Dátolo (both Napoli), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Ever Banega (Valencia), Angel Di María (Benfica) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona).
Vagner not feeling the Love at Palmeiras
Palmeiras president Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo gave a confused reaction when questioned over want-away striker Vagner Love’s move to Flamengo.
Love has been the subject of physical attacks by Palmeiras fans this year and is believed to be very keen to secure a move away from the Sao Paulo club.
“I’m not aware of this fear that Vagner has of being at Palmeiras. I’ll try to have a word with his agent Evandro Ferreiro to find out exactly what is happening.” Belluzzo said.
Towards the end of this season Love was attacked by three Palmeiras fans as he left a bank. The trio of assailants were then arrested on allegations of racism but were released after 10 days in prison. The three Palmeiras fans are now expected to receive some sort of community service as punishment for their attack on Love.
Palmeiras president Belluzzo not only denied knowledge of the rift between Love and the club’s support but also declared he had received no interest in the player from other teams.
“Nobody has come to me so far so there has been no contact with any other club about Vagner. Flamengo has just elected a new board so I’m sure they have other things to do rather than buy players just at the moment.” Belluzzo added.
With Love wanting out Palmeiras are in danger of looking a little toothless ahead of 2010 with Paraguayan striker José Ortigoza leaving the club this week.
The writing is on the wall for Messi
Lionel Messi’s extra time winner against Estudiantes de La Plata has predictably not gone down to well with the fans of the Argentine club.
Graffiti has appeared around the city of La Plata, around 100km from Buenos Aires, defaming the current Ballon d’Or holder.
The favourite slogan of the Estudiantes fans appears to be “Messi is not an Argentine.”
The player will surely receive some sympathy from his national boss Diego Maradona who saw his adoring Italian public turn their back on him after he dumped them out of the 1990 World Cup in Naples.
Messi himself has reacted to the slurs in the Spanish press.
Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com
The head coach of the Argentine team met up with Cruyff at the Juan Carlos I Hotel in Barcelona ahead of Tuesday’s friendly between Catalonia and Argentina at the Camp Nou.
A delegation representing the Argentina Football Association (AFA) including seven players were pictured with Cruyff as part of the celebrations surrounding the Dutchman’s first game in charge of the Catalonia team.
FIFA lawyers had sent word to the AFA that they recommended that Maradona did not take part in any public engagements ahead of Tuesday’s game as it could be seen as a breach of the sanctions put in place against the coach following his lewd outburst earlier in the year.
It was even suggested that if Maradona agreed to be snapped alongside Cruyff ahead of the game the Argentine coach could risk not being allowed to travel to South Africa.
The lack of a photo opportunity is believed to have angered the Catalan Football Federation (FCF), who view the game as the prefect opportunity to promote their team.
When Cruyff was asked about his meeting with Maradona he towed the party line in regards to the Argentines ban.
“We only spoke about each others' family because talking about football was forbidden by FIFA.” The Dutchman joked.
President of the FCF Jordi Casals confirmed that they have received a request from FIFA to ensure that Maradona watches the game from the stands.
“If Maradona is seen to be taking charge of the team I understand there could be an even higher penalty from FIFA. He could even be banned from the World Cup.” Casals said.
The players that travelled to Barcelona from Buenos Aires with Maradona were goalkeeper Diego Pozo (Colón); defenders Cristian Alvarez (Arsenal), Nicolás Otamendi and Emiliano Papa (both Vélez); midfielder Mario Bolatti (Huracán) and strikers Eduardo Salvio (Lanús) and Martín Palermo (Boca).
The squad were met by European based Argentines Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuaín (both Real Madrid).
Today the squad will be completed by the arrivals in Barcelona of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jesus Dátolo (both Napoli), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Ever Banega (Valencia), Angel Di María (Benfica) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona).
Vagner not feeling the Love at Palmeiras
Palmeiras president Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo gave a confused reaction when questioned over want-away striker Vagner Love’s move to Flamengo.
Love has been the subject of physical attacks by Palmeiras fans this year and is believed to be very keen to secure a move away from the Sao Paulo club.
“I’m not aware of this fear that Vagner has of being at Palmeiras. I’ll try to have a word with his agent Evandro Ferreiro to find out exactly what is happening.” Belluzzo said.
Towards the end of this season Love was attacked by three Palmeiras fans as he left a bank. The trio of assailants were then arrested on allegations of racism but were released after 10 days in prison. The three Palmeiras fans are now expected to receive some sort of community service as punishment for their attack on Love.
Palmeiras president Belluzzo not only denied knowledge of the rift between Love and the club’s support but also declared he had received no interest in the player from other teams.
“Nobody has come to me so far so there has been no contact with any other club about Vagner. Flamengo has just elected a new board so I’m sure they have other things to do rather than buy players just at the moment.” Belluzzo added.
With Love wanting out Palmeiras are in danger of looking a little toothless ahead of 2010 with Paraguayan striker José Ortigoza leaving the club this week.
The writing is on the wall for Messi
Lionel Messi’s extra time winner against Estudiantes de La Plata has predictably not gone down to well with the fans of the Argentine club.
Graffiti has appeared around the city of La Plata, around 100km from Buenos Aires, defaming the current Ballon d’Or holder.
The favourite slogan of the Estudiantes fans appears to be “Messi is not an Argentine.”
The player will surely receive some sympathy from his national boss Diego Maradona who saw his adoring Italian public turn their back on him after he dumped them out of the 1990 World Cup in Naples.
Messi himself has reacted to the slurs in the Spanish press.
Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com
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