Madman Or Genius? Maradona Still Centre of Attention

Friday 11th June, 2010 15 Madman or genius? Maradona still centre of attention

Alfio Basile, from his post. Planet Maradona. story of 1986 replaying itself, the tale cluelessness? “As a person, Maradona is garbage Maradona’s qualifying campaign of supposed no-hopers transformed Maradona responds that he had – good for nothing, no dignity,” Jorge invited utter ridicule, with its muddle- by one player of genius. But having never previously had a chance to talk Robolzi, his chief accuser and one of headed employment of 107 different looked so unstoppable for club, why at length with Messi “because he is Basile’s old assistants, protested. players. Jorge Olguin, a World Cup has he looked lost for country? A sign more difficult to get hold of than Maradona simply batted away the winner from 1978, had noted damning- of Maradona’s Obama”. accusations as absurd. ly then: “Maradona doesn’t have a tacti- However, after a two-hour meet- While Argentina prepare for their clear idea about what he wants. I don’t cal ing in Madrid in April when opener against Nigeria here at know how Maradona wants to play.” Messi was able to detail what Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, a nation Nobody did. And nobody can be he believed his best role was has come to accept that, for better or sure now, even if the fond belief is for Argentina, the head- worse, the epic narrative of that something has changed for strong one took it on Maradona’s career meant he would the better in the Argentina board. lead his country into battle once more. camp, even the unthinkable Perhaps one But they are still not sure whether prospect that Maradona is image still seduces their general is a madman or a genius. actually doing some listen- Maradona’s com- A year ago, they thought he was ing as well as command- patriots. That of Douglas Haig, presiding over chaos; ing, maybe even for once a little big man suddenly, they are prepared to con- heeding a word or two sliding across BY IAN CHADBAND vince themselves he is their from his 71-year-old assis- the rain-sod- Chief Sports Correspondent Montgomery, a bearded wisdom hav- tant Carlos Bilardo, coach of den ing descended at the appointed hour. the 1986 champions. Monumental hat an a———- you are! A system has emerged this pitch in Buenos How can you put your year; not universally admired, Aires last October “Wleg there where it can maybe as flawed as Ardiles sug- like a beached por- get run over, man?” gests, but at least a coherent, poise, celebrating a Diego Maradona’s already fabled consistent plan, built on the 92nd minute “miracle” rebuke to the television cameraman absolute unadventurous security of goal from Martin whose foot he had just run over in his four centre-backs – Nicolas Palermo to down Peru and car en route to the Argentine training Otamendi, Martin Demichelis, rescue Argentina’s qualifica- complex in Buenos Aires – now the Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze tion. poor fellow knows why he works for – patrolled by a midfield sentry, Oddly, this became Channel 13 – could just as well stand Javier Mascherano. Argentina’s new image of hope; as his World Cup mission declaration: Juan Sebastian Veron acts as a the sheer unbridled, reckless joy ‘Don’t stand in my way; El Diez is deep-lying string puller with two of a man-child, still crazy after all coming through.’ busy wide men, Newcastle’s Jonás those 49 years. But what if people don’t believe in Gutiérrez and the abundantly gift- The second commandment of you, Diego? “Well, they can suck on it ed Angel Di Maria, serving two the Rosario-based Maradonian and keeping sucking,” as he once strikers, Gonzalo Higuain and the Church, whose 120,000 followers retorted so charmingly. No explana- free-roaming Lionel Messi. still worship at his left foot in this tions, no arguments, no justification; This side, which beat year of their god 49AD (After just gaze at your crushed toe, grin and Germany, Maradona vowed, would Diego), is “Thou shalt love football bear it. be his starting line-up against over all things”. As he puffs away on his cigar here “He changed the way he expresses Nigeria, the great individualist Forty million sceptical like his hero Fidel Castro, you just himself, calmer, more thoughtful, building a team essentially on Argentines could still give him an know Argentina have to do it more cautious,” Ruben Capria, one of conservatism, with almost crimi- argument about tactics but they still Maradona’s own autocratic, idiosyn- Argentina’s army of former players nal attacking riches like Carlos find this trait fairly irresistible. cratic way at this World Cup because, turned pundits, argues. Tévez, Sergio Aguero, Diego “You have to put all your heart from the moment the nation’s Not that the critics agree: Ossie Milito and Javier Pastore stuck into winning the World Cup,” he demigod said he wanted to run the Ardiles was still taking his old team- on the bench. declared on a TV show before flying nation’s team, even though everyone mate to task over his “stupid” and Yet, being Maradona, wouldn’t out to South Africa. “You’ve got to could see that putting an absolute “irresponsible” decision making. it now be typical that he throws give your life.” beginner of a coach in charge was an It was in June 1994 that he walked this out for the much more adven- For all his flaws, a country fancies idea fraught with peril, he could not off the pitch against Nigeria at turous 3-4-3 he has apparently been Maradona’s saving grace is that he be denied. Boston’s Foxboro Stadium pumped practising behind closed doors still honestly would. Maradona wanted the job so badly with five soon-to-be detected perform- with an attacking trident of Messi, that the last drama to befall him ance enhancing drugs; this Saturday, Tévez and Higuain? (C) The Telegraph Group, before arriving here in South Africa he will walk to the dugout, still the Whatever the system, Messi London, 2010 even centred on whether he actually absolute centre of attention, still holds the key. Maradona looks at Diego Maradona manoeuvred to oust his predecessor, inhabiting the bizarre place that is the Barcelona sorcerer and sees the

FIFA World Cup live action for blind GENEVA (AP) - able to join the team which Switzerland captain Alex left late Wednesday for Frei injured his right South Africa. and visually impaired football fans ankle in training “Even if he can’t make Wednesday, just hours the first game, he can join Blind and visual- before the squad was due us later in the tourna- ly impaired fans will to fly to ment,” said be able to enjoy a South Africa Switzerland special live-match for the World Swiss captain coach experience at the Cup. Ottmar 2010 FIFA World Cup Video Alex Frei Hitzfeld. in South Africa. Six footage on Nassim stadiums will each news website injures ankle Ben Khalifa have 15 seats 20min.ch of equipped with head- shows the FC before WCup Grasshopper phones, and trained Basel for- Zurich has commentators will ward being treated on the been put on standby. report live on the pitch before limping off Frei is a key player in action happening with a grimace at Zurich’s the Swiss team, which will down on the pitch. Letzigrund stadium. take on Spain, Chile and In addition, each of Team doctor Cuno Honduras in Group H. these six stadiums Wetzel said Frei had Hitzfeld said before the will have 15 seats sprained the ankle but ini- flight that he considers that will be allocated to their sighted ate a legacy with services and facilities at tial fears he may have torn Switzerland the favorite guides who will accompany them, while football grounds for visually impaired and a ligament or broken a against Honduras, and specially trained volunteers will provide blind South Africans,” said FIFA bone proved unfounded. expects his team to battle assistance within the stadiums. This is a President Joseph S. Blatter. Despite intense pain, Chile for second place in premier in South Africa’s sporting land- The Institute of Advancement of the 30-year-old Frei was the group. scape. Journalism was responsible for sourcing, The initiative, launched by the Swiss training and coordinating the audio National Association for the Blind (SNAB) descriptors, while the Academy of Sound and the South African National Council Engineering students will perform the Uruguay announces for the Blind (SANCB) and financially technical audio functions that will be nec- supported by FIFA, is aimed at making the essary to ensure that the audio descrip- starting 11 for France tournament accessible to all. FIFA Partner tions are correctly transmitted to the visu- JOHANNESBURG (AP) Tabarez. Sony is providing the necessary transmit- ally impaired fans at the stadiums. - Uruguay coach Oscar Uruguay also faces ters that will allow people to receive THE STADIUMS OFFERING Tabarez named his starting Mexico and host South match-day commentary in the stadiums THIS SERVICE ARE: team for Friday’s World Cup Africa in Group A. free of charge. The SANCB is ensuring Johannesburg – Soccer City Stadium: match against France, with Tabarez said he was that the tickets are fairly allocated and 8 matches defender Mauricio looking for balance in his only a very limited number of tickets are Johannesburg – Ellis Park Stadium: 7 Victorino and midfielder team, while he was also still available for 19 matches via matches Egidio Arevalo the surprise mindful of the side France picks on Wednesday. was expected to pick. .www.sancb.org.za. Tshwane/Pretoria – Loftus Versfeld Victorino’s callup means “You have to keep in “Football is a universal sport and it Stadium: 6 matches Andres Sotti will on the mind the strength of the must be accessible to everyone. We are Durban – Durban Stadium: 7 match- bench, while Arevalo starts rival, which is the starting therefore delighted to be able to make this es ahead of Walter Gargano. point for all one can do unique live experience in the stadium also Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth Diego Forlan of Atletico defensively,” Tabarez said. accessible to visually impaired and blind – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: 8 matches Madrid is partnered up “We also have to put them people. This project is another launching Cape Town – Green Point Stadium: 8 front by Ajax’s Luis Suarez under pressure when we pad for South African sports and will cre- matches in the lineup released by have the ball.”