WORLD CUP DIARY FIFA bosses point the finger at dirty Diego
NOT for the first time in his chequered career, Diego Maradona has fallen foul of FIFA disciplinarians.
They have warned the former Argentina World Cup winner that the Respect campaign applies to the members of their Legends programme as much as anyone else.
There were complaints about Maradona (above) making an obscene JORGE SAMPAOLI last night told his critics that he is still in charge of Argentina – not Lionel Messi.
Sampaoli is reckoned to be a dead man walking following a dressing room revolt that has threatened to derail his bid for World Cup glory.
And when he was filmed apparently asking for Messi’s permission to bring Sergio Aguero on as a substitute in the life-saving victory over Nigeria on Tuesday night, it was seen as confirmation that the Barcelona genius had usurped him.
But the Argentina boss (below, with Messi) insisted the damning TV pictures were misleading – and he remains confident ahead of today’s last-16 clash with France that he will survive the crisis.
Sampaoli said: “I remember that conversation with Leo very well, but everything I mention to my players is personal and I won’t make it public.
“It was a simple exchange. It was not how it has been characterised.
“I was saying to him we would be using some of the strategies we had spoken about to have more attacking players on the pitch. That is all.
“Will I continue as coach? Well I have a contract and I am quite happy to be here. As long as I can fight to be here, I’ll fight every day.”
Argentina are set to ring the changes again.
Aguero paid the price for voicing his discontent after the 3-0 defeat by
Croatia and
Gonzalo
Higuain’s role as the striker playing ahead of Messi is set to last just one game. The Juventus hitman is expected to be replaced by Cristian Pavon, even though the lightweight 22-year-old Boca Juniors forward will only be winning his ninth cap.
The two-time world champions got off the hook in the group stages thanks to Marcos Rojo’s late winner against Nigeria.
But Sampaoli has warned that it will take more than their famed fighting spirit to beat France and