Maradona: I will fight to the death for Venezuelan leader
Fujairah football club manager and World Cup winner causes uproar after Facebook post for Maduro
They say you should never mix politics and sport, but the message seems to have been wasted on the Argentinian superstar and manager of Fujairah football club, Diego Maradona.
Long known for his support of revolutionary causes, the 56-year-old “player of the century” has caused a furore by openly expressing his support for Venezuela’s far left president, Nicolas Maduro.
With the start of the UAE First Division barely a month away, Maradona has taken to Facebook with a passionate declaration that he is ready to fight “until death” for the Venezuelan regime.
Mr Maduro has come under increasing condemnation by the international community for killings and human rights breaches, and for his crackdown on opposition leaders.
Posting in English, Spanish and Italian, Maradona said: “When Maduro orders, I am dressed as a soldier for a free Venezuela, to fight against the imperialism and those who want to take our flags, which is the most sacred thing we have.”
Referring to the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, the Fujairah Sports Club manager continued: “We are Chavistas until death. Long live the revolution.”
Maradona’s support of revolutionary causes included a friendship with Fidel Castro and a tattoo of the Cuban dictator’s face on his leg.
Apart from dressing as a soldier and fighting to the death for the revolution, the former World Cup winner’s day job includes leading Fujairah back to the Arabian Gulf League, the top tier of UAE football. The club finished fourth last season in the second tier after losing four of their five final games.
Among his critics are former teammate Mario Kempes, the top scorer when Argentina won the 1978 World Cup.
On Twitter, Kempes asked: “@DiegoMaradona how can you support the death of 124 young people who defended liberty and democracy in their country?”
Now a commentator with the TV network ESPN, Kempes added: “No to the dictatorship.”
Venezuela’s political turmoil includes widespread shortages of goods from food and medicine to toilet paper. Many believe the oil-rich South American country to be on the brink of civil war after an attack on a military base on Sunday. “Witness accounts suggest that security forces have systematically used disproportionate force to instil fear, crush dissent and prevent demonstrators from assembling, rallying and reaching public institutions to present petitions,” said a report from the UN’s rights office.
Maradona’s own life has not been without turmoil, including drug addiction, heart problems and a massive tax bill from the Italian government.
His first spell in the UAE saw him sacked as manager of Al Wasl in 2012 after half of a two-year contract. Maradona’s comeback also includes Cafe Diego at Abu Dhabi’s Nation Galleria Mall, which officially opened last year on his birthday and has a Dh85 Diego pizza and a Dh145 Maradona steak.
Posting in English, Spanish and Italian, Maradona said: ‘I am dressed as a soldier for a free Venezuela’