FIFA is to open a disciplinary investigation into Diego Maradona after the Argentine coach's sexually explicit, foul-mouthed rant during a news conference Wednesday. (Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images)A video showing Argentine national soccer team coach Diego Maradona making crude gestures on the s quad's bus after his profanity-filled tirade on live television Wednesday could complicate Argentine officials' efforts to put the scandal behind them.
The video, rapidly spreading on the internet, shows Maradona gesturing gleefully at photographers and cameramen through the window as the bus pulled away after Wednesday's World Cup qualifying game in Uruguay.
Maradona already faces a possible five-game suspension and nearly $20,000 US fine if FIFA, world soccer's governing body, decides to punish him for his comments to reporters after the 1-0 victory that allowed Argentina to qualify for next year's World Cup.
Maradona's repeated expletives, directed at his media critics in an official setting, prompted FIFA president Sepp Blatter to announce in Cairo that he had "no other alternative" but to ask his organization's disciplinary committee to open a case against the coach.
Maradona said his tirade did not merit an apology. Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona dismissed the remarks as a momentary outburst and told The Associated Press on Friday that "if it were another coach or player, the matter would not have had such importance."
FIFA's disciplinary code says the suspension and fine should apply to any soccer figure who "lowers himself through acts or words, to discriminate or insult a person or group of persons ... in a way that undermines human dignity."
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and the 1990 final, was under intense pressure during Argentina's erratic qualifying campaign. Argentina lost 6-1 in Bolivia and 3-1 to Brazil at home, finishing fourth among South American teams.
Grondona said the Argentine federation would meet Tuesday. He declined to say whether he agreed with FIFA's decision to open a disciplinary case.
