Maradona claims mistreatment

Maradona: Faces hearing on Sunday

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Argentina coach Diego Maradona claims "much worse things" have happened in football as he faces a Fifa disciplinary hearing.

The former World Cup winner's plea comes after controversial comments he made last month following Argentina's win in the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

Maradona faces a possible touchline ban after he let loose with a foul-mouthed tirade aimed at his critics after Argentina clinched their place at next summer's finals with a 1-0 win in Montevideo on October 14th.

The international coach could face a five-game ban by Fifa if found guilty at Sunday's hearing in Zurich, which could see him sidelined for matches at the South Africa finals next year.

Ban threat

Asked in an interview with Spanish newspaper Madrid if he felt if he was being mistreated, the 49-year-old replied: "Yes, much worse things have been said and there are people who do terrible things in football, but....

"I don't want to talk about the matter anymore. I said what I said and that's where things are. On Sunday I will say what I have to say to Fifa and that's it."

Maradona has not enjoyed the healthiest of relationships with the Argentinian press, who have fiercely criticised him for his disjointed handling of his country's qualification campaign.

Unfazed

The Argentina boss, whose side take on European champions Spain in a friendly in Madrid on Saturday night, insists he is not fazed by the criticism he has received.

"Since I took this post with the national team I knew that this could happen...and it did," he added.

"But I'm taking refuge in my team, my family, my daughters and in the people from the street.

"Nobody should forget that the people from Argentina, from the street, are showing me a lot of affection. They greet me and love me like always.

"And I'm concentrating on that, on the people without microphones, not on what the media says."