MARADONA SLAMS COACH SAMPAOLI OVER TACTICS

BRONNITSY, RUSSIA: Argentina legend Diego Maradona issued a scathing assessment of his country’s World Cup draw with Iceland, warning manager Jorge Sampaoli that he would not be welcome back home unless he changes his tactics. “Playing like that, he can’t come back to Argentina,” the 1986 World Cup winner said after Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the 1-1 Group D stalemate. “It’s a disgrace. Not having prepared for the match knowing that Iceland are all 1.90m tall... I get the feeling there’s a general anger at the heart of the team,” said Maradona. Messi spurned a chance to take the lead when his 63rd-minute spot kick was saved by Hannes Halldorsson. But Maradona avoided criticising his heir apparent and instead pointed the finger at Sampaoli.