Argentina boss, Diego Maradona, commented on recent controversies with UEFA President, Michel Platini and his long-time nemesis, Pele’. Both had questioned Maradona’s management credentials although apparently, Platini was misquoted. Maradona also provided intriguing insights on Luis Fabiano‘s controversial hand ball against Cote d’Ivoire and some thoughts about his team during during a press conference published by Buenos Aires newspaper, Clarin, ahead of Argentina’s last group round match against Greece.
Apology From Michel Platini
“Nobleza obliga. Recibí una carta de Platini en la que me aclara que no haber dicho lo que ustedes, los periodistas, dicen que dijo. Por eso quiero pedirle mis disculpas a Platini, pero no a Pelé”.
“Nobility obliges. I received a letter from Michel Platini and he clarified that he didn’t say what you, the journalists, said he stated. For this, I want to apologize to Platini but not to Pele’.”
Spanish source: Clarin de Buenos Aires, June 17, 2010.
On Brazil and Luis Fabiano
“Brasil define los partidos cuando tiene que hacerlo. Sigue siendo el gran favorito”.
Mostró su bronca por el gol de Luis Fabiano con la mano que convalidó el árbitro.
“La verdad es que es muy evidente, porque hay doble mano. Lo tragicómico es la sonrisa del árbitro después. No vi al árbitro después del gol a Inglaterra reírse. Ayer salió riéndose y eso fue lo que nos golpeó a todos. Si la viste, por qué no la cobraste”.
Translation:
“Brazil defines games when it has to do so. It continues to be the great favorite.”
He was harsh about the goal by Luis Fabiano with his hand that was granted by the referee.
“The truth is that it was very evident because he handled it twice. The tragic comedy was the smile by the referee afterward. I didn’t see the referee smile after the goal against England (his famous ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986). Yesterday, he was laughing and that was what struck all of us. If you saw it, why didn’t you call a hand ball?”
Seven Changes against Greece
Confirmó en la conferencia de prensa los siete cambios para el partido de este martes y, a pesar de la confianza, eligió correrse de la posibilidad de quedar entre los favoritos a ganar el Mundial.
Translation:
He confirmed seven changes for the game on Tuesday in the press conference and to weigh in on confidence, selected Argentina to be in the running for the possibility to remain among the favorites to win the World Cup.
Not Candidates or Favorites
“No somos candidatos ni favoritos… Sé algo de lo que es un Mundial, pero no me gusta ser favorito ni antes ni en el presente. Porque cualquiera te la clava en el ángulo y tira por tierra todo lo que hiciste.”
“We aren’t candidates or favorites… Knowing it is something that is the World Cup, but I don’t like to be a favorite either before or at the present time. Because anyone can box you in a corner and pin down everything that you have done.”
On Their Attitude in South Africa
“Desde que llegó a Pretoria, el equipo supo que tenía un objetivo que era entrenarse, corregir errores, saber dónde estaba parado. Tuvimos tiempo para trabajar y eso está dando sus frutos. Después, con la calidad de los jugadores que uno tiene a disposición se hace todo más fácil.”
“Since the arrival in Pretoria, the team knew that it had an objective that was to train, to correct mistakes, to know where it was heading. We had time to work and for that we are seeing the fruits. Also, with the quality of the players that one has at disposal, it makes everything much easier.”
Spanish source: Clarin de Buenos Aires, June 21, 2010.
Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He writes the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.
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