Today’s Video: Red Card of God

The ongoing diplomatic tug-of-war between Argentina and Britain over the Falklands/Malvinas recently spread into the world of sport. Several weeks ago the Argentine government aired an ad featuring hockey captain Fernando Zylberberg secretly training on the disputed islands.

"To me to be training in any other province or to do it over the islands is the same," said Zylberberg in response to the commercial though his views were not shared by the British government or the International Olympic Committee.

A lighter, more humorous ad in the U.K. in order to promote ITV's coverage of June's Euro 2012 soccer tournament. The clip pokes fun at England's failures on the pitch and wonders what would've happened if the infamous "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup by Diego Maradona had been disallowed:

Argentine Maradona “Church” Followers Defect to Messi

It may not be a schism as profound as the Protestant Reformation but followers of one Argentine “church” are debating over whether to stay or join a breakaway “sect”.

The loyalty of members of the Maradonian Church (named after World Cup-winning soccer legend Diego Maradona) is facing a serious challenge from a group of dissidents. A statement was issued in the name of two hundred former Maradona followers who announced that they have seen the light in the form of Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi.

Maradona to return to the sidelines?

Diego Maradona was one of the best soccer stars of all time (“Hand of God” notwithstanding) yet his record as a coach has been disappointing. As head of the Argentine men’s national team he came under fire for selecting too many players to the squad, thus resulting in a few embarrassing losses during the World Cup qualifying process. His war with the media continued after Argentina made it into this year’s World Cup where a talented team ended with a woeful 4-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany. Shortly after the tournament ended, Maradona was fired and it seemed doubtful that any club or nation would hire such a volatile personality as a coach.

Will Portugal step forward and take the chance?

Former Argentina boss Diego Maradona is interested in taking over the Portugal job after Carlos Queiroz was sacked last week, according to reports…

"It's true [Maradona is interested],'' Alejandro Mancuso, one of Maradona's assistants during his spell as Argentina coach, told the A Bola sports daily. ''Diego and I talked about it, and it is a project that attracts us. He is willing and has availability, but has not been contacted yet."

The Portuguese soccer federation (FPF) is reportedly interested in a foreign coach for its team, which is why Maradona’s name has been floated around. Yet there are rumors that other more experienced former coaches may be in the running for the Portuguese post such as Mexican Javier Aguirre and Argentine Jose Pekerman.

With the FPF supposedly seeking a permanent replacement for Queiroz by next month, Maradona may be in a prime position to return to the sidelines and lead the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Hugo Almeida. Perhaps that would be a better birthday gift for El Diez instead of risking being arrested at his birthday bash next month in Italy.

Image- AFP
Online Sources- AFP, ESPN, Reuters, The Latin Americanist

Daily Headlines: July 28, 2010

* Nicaragua: Pressure from several universities and student organizations apparently led to the decision by Nike to pay over $1.5 million to a relief fund for laid off Honduran laborers.

* Cuba: Coming to a bookshelf near you – the memoirs of former Cuban ruler Fidel Castro.

* Ecuador: The government will reportedly introduce a series of reforms designed to increase state control over the country’s oil industry.

* Argentina: The country’s soccer federation dropped Diego Maradona as head coach of the men’s national team.

Image – Time
Online Sources- Reuters Canada, CNN, AFP, The Nation

Chau, Diego

Decision day came, and Maradona is out as Argentina's soccer coach.

The enigmatic coach and national icon was not asked to continue to lead the Argentine side after they crashed out of the World Cup with a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Germany.

Initially the Argentina Football Association (AFA) had signaled a willingness to keep Maradona on to lead the team into 2014 Brazil, but it appears the famously strong-headed coach decided it was his way or nothing, and refused to allow any changes to his assistant coaching staff.

According to ESPN Soccernet:

"The president said that there was a significant difference between what AFA wanted to achieve and Maradona's aspirations for the future," (AFA spokesperson Ernesto) Cherquis Bialo said. "There was a wide gap, and it was impossible to narrow it."

Despite some shows of brilliance during the Cup's early games, Argentina showed significant backside weakness against the German attack, and the end result for a nation so hungry for glory was bound to leave some heads rolling in the post-Cup aftermath.

But it may have been Maradona's own stubbornness that led to his undoing. He was unresponsive to initial calls from AFA president Julio Grondona, and delayed their post-Cup meeting to go to Venezuela to meet with Hugo Chavez (and lend his two cents to the Venezuela-Colombia brush up). No doubt that didn't win him any fans.

The Soccernet article quotes team trainer Fernando Signorini as saying "I have no doubt they didn't want him. Maradona is like a stone in the shoe of power."

Perhaps a stint leading the Venezuelan national side awaits.

Image Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Online Sources: ESPN Soccernet, Sydney Morning Herald, Latin American Herald Tribune, Xinhua

Daily Headlines: July 27, 2010

* Argentina: Tuesday is the decision day for Diego Maradona, as Argentina’s soccer federation will decide if he’ll stay on as head coach of the men’s national team.

* Chile: President Sebastian Pinera rejected a controversial plan that would’ve sought pardoning some former military officers convicted for Pinochet-era crimes against humanity.

* Dominican Republic: An outbreak of dengue fever continues to hit parts of the Caribbean including the Dominican Republic where 24 deaths were attributed to that illness.

* Nicaragua: Prosecutors dropped a case accusing President Daniel Ortega of involvement in the early 1980s massacre of 64 indigenous people.

Image – The Guardian
Online Sources- People’s Daily Online, MSNBC, BBC News, The Latin Americanist, LAHT

Daily Headlines: July 21 2010

* Latin America: Brazilian scientists are investigating why hundreds of dead penguins have washed up on the shores of Sao Paulo while a type of fungus has been blamed for wiping out thirty amphibian species in Panama.

* Central America: “How to stem spiraling gang violence and how to bring Honduras back into SICA’s fold,” where the two main topics discussed during a conference of Central American leaders yesterday.

* Puerto Rico: After a ten-year chase authorities finally captured a Puerto Rican drug capo nicknamed “the Pablo Escobar of the Caribbean.”

* Argentina: According to the local press Diego Maradona will allegedly continue as head coach of Argentina's men’s national soccer team.

Image – Sky News
Online Sources- AP, New York Daily News, AS/COA Online, BBC News, National Geographic

World Cup Review: Down to one

Four South American countries made it to the World Cup quarterfinals but only one would survive into the semifinals. The region’s weakest team to reach the quarters- Uruguay- will play a Netherlands squad looking to claim another South American scalp after beating Brazil 2-1. Before discussing los charruas chances of beating the red-hot Dutch let’s take a quick look at some recent occurrences with other regional sides.

* Paraguay: Iffy refereeing decisions have apparently become a hallmark of this World Cup and to the list of infamy we can the crew during Paraguay’s quarterfinal match with Spain. Late in the first half linesman Carlos Pastrana erred in disallowing a legit Paraguayan goal for offsides. As you can see in the video highlights below, referee Carlos Batres not exactly on the ball after granting Paraguay and Spain penalty kicks in the second half. It’s no wonder that now-former Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said sarcastically after the game (won by Spain 1-0) that he was hoping FIFA would apologize to his team.

* Argentina: In the aftermath of Germany’s 4-0 spanking of Argentina one of the main question being asked is what will be the fate of team coach Diego Maradona? After returning to his native land on Sunday he hinted that his “cycle has finished” and that he would resign. Since then he has remained mum while fellow players and coaches have come to his side. Whether he stays or goes one thing is for sure: Maradona won’t strip and streak in Buenos Aires.

* Brazil: While Maradona waffles, Brazil’s player-turned-coach Dunga was fired from his post after the loss to the Dutch. Though he coached the Brazilian side to titles in the 2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup, Dunga was criticized for advocating a defensive, non-“Joga Bonito” style. On the bright side, however, Brazil’s elimination may do wonders for the country’s economy.

* Uruguay: Lastly we come to the charruas who are trying to overcome the controversy of Luis Suarez’ handball. His comments after the game against Ghana may not be helping matters but more importantly Uruguay will be playing without their top scorer. Coach Oscar Tabarez has identified Dutch forward Arjen Robben as the man to stop but the reality is that Uruguay will have to play as perfect a game as possible if they wish to reach their first World Cup title game in sixty years.

So what do you guys think? Will Uruguay beat the Netherlands? How can Argentina and Brazil bounce back from their World Cup eliminations? Is Paraguay good enough to be considered a South American heavyweight?

Online Sources- Too many to list!

The Maradona Mystique

Having watched the World Cup qualifiers, in which Argentina struggled to even make the tournament and got drubbed 6-1 against Bolivia, I felt certain that the albiceleste could only succeed in spite of, not because of, their coach Diego Maradona.

But now, after watching four games in which Maradona's Argentina have run gracefully over their opponents, I'm picking the Argentines to take home the Cup. And why? I'm even more surprised that it's because of the same Maradona I expected to run them into the ground.

While the Brazilians of Dunga have displayed an unmatched technical prowess and the Germans have been methodically, well, German, in picking apart their opponents, the utter passion that Argentina has shown in their games has been nothing short of remarkable.

I'll be the first to admit I don't quite understand the Maradona reverence. I get it, in the sense that the flawed hero holds a special place for true sports fans. By sometimes showing the worst of themselves, the tragic athlete keeps us on the edge of our seat, wondering what will happen next.

The blog BigPondSport says it best:

Almost, but not quite, single-handedly, the Argentina manager has made World Cup 2010 worth watching. His manic presence on the sidelines is almost as mesmerising as was his majestic presence on it.

More so than perhaps any other footballer, Maradona has enthralled and enraged in equal measure; a man blessed with angels and cursed by demons; a man who had everything before snorting it up his nose.

So the reverence makes sense, but I never thought that would turn a man who'd previously coached 23 games (with just 3 wins) into a solid coach. Players-turned-coaches are aplenty is sports, but usually it takes a while to make the transition. Does Maradona have tactical expertise to match his World Cup peers? I'm not sure, but boy does he love his players, and they love him in return. Even taking cultural practices into account, the Argentine coach hugs and kisses his players (with surprising and in its way, touching frequency) like they're his own sons. In return, his players show a passion for their coach that may just propel them to a repeat of Argentina's 1986 glory.

If Maradona pulls this off, his legend will be forever cemented. Perhaps just in time for him to self destruct, insult everybody he feels doubted or disrespected him, and then start the whole, wonderful process over again.

Image Source: Getty Images/Bleacher Report

Online Sources: GoalyMoaly, BigPondSport, Goal.com, ESPN Soccernet

World Cup Review: Viva le Mexique!

Two North American neighbors played against a pair of European sides in key World Cup matches Thursday and today. While one side overwhelmed and outplayed their cross-Atlantic rivals the other nearly paid the price for a lax defense. Here’s our overview of the Mexico-France and U.S.-Slovenia matches.

Lo Bueno (The Good)…

Would it be hyperbole to say that Mexico’s 2-0 win over France yesterday was their best victory since the Battle of Puebla?

The French press has ripped their side and rightly so after Mexico thoroughly dominated and outmatched Les Blues. Javier “el Chicharito” Hernandez opened the scoring in the 64th-minute after beating the offside trap by a hair and dribbling past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Cuauhtemoc Blanco buried a penalty kick fifteen minutes later, and ensured a historic and well-deserved victory for El Tri:

Historically, Hernandez’ goal came fifty-six years after his grandfather scored against France in the World Cup. Furthermore, Blanco became the first Mexican player to score in three different World Cups as well as the oldest Latin American player to score a Cup goal.

Mexico’s final group match comes on Tuesday against Uruguay. Both sides would qualify for the round of 16 with a tie though don’t be surprised if they aim for a win that cold see them avoid a red-hot Argentina squad in the next stage.

Lo Malo (The Bad)…

I’m a tried and true fan of the U.S. and I’m utterly disappointed at their 2-2 draw with Slovenia. But not due to the blankety-blank-bank of a ref who inexplicably disallowed a legit U.S. goal minutes from full time. And not because I feel that they came up just short of a win despite a thrilling comeback. Rather it’s watching how a team with high expectations of winning instead played a dreadful first half that was reminiscent of their terrible losses at the hands of the Czech Republic and Ghana in the 2006 World Cup.

The Stars and Stripes aren’t eliminated, but they will certainly have to play a solid ninety minutes against Algeria on Wednesday if they want to advance from the group stage. Goals like the one scored by Michael Bradley would obviously help:

Y Lo Feo (And the Ugly)

Like the saying goes “ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.” Step forward Diego Maradona:


(Hat tip: Deadspin).

Online Sources- YouTube, New York Daily News, CBS News, Wikipdia, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, AP, Deadspin

Nighttime News Roundup

• Venezuelan academic says he saw Hugo Chavez cry while he was briefly imprisoned after the 2002 coup. The type of story that makes for good headlines with the Chavez-haters but is impossible to prove (based on one person's testimony) and not a big deal even if it is true.

• Drugs go through Jamaica now, too. Or you could read it as: "Drugs continue to arrive without too much trouble to wherever people want to buy them."

• Shakira dances "Woka Woka" ("This Time for Africa," not Fozzie Bear) with South African kids; somewhat awkward video included.

• Diego Maradona ordered a heated toilet and a three-speed electric bidet for his stay in South Africa. Eccentric or not, this is a rather rational request.

Image Source: Wall Street Journal

Online Sources: Washington Post, La Prensa (Honduras), El Comercio (Peru), MercoPress

Daily Headlines: April 2, 2010

* Bolivia: The Andean country is closer to launching its first telecommunications satellite after working out a deal with China.

* Colombia: In a week when the FARC freed two troops the rebels also handed over the remains of a soldier who died while held in captivity.

* Puerto Rico: As part of a Clean Air Act settlement oil giant Shell will have to upgrade its Puerto Rican refinery.

* Argentina: National soccer team coach Diego Maradona was discharged from a Buenos Aires clinic after one of his dogs bit him in the lip.

Image – BBC Mundo
Online Sources- MSNBC, Reuters, The Latin Americanist, AP, Canadian Press

Daily Headlines: January 27, 2010

* U.S.: On the eve of tonight’s State of the Union speech, several hundred protestors at an immigrants rights rally called for President Barack Obama to take a more active role towards much-needed immigration reform.

* Chile: Investigators identified the remains of eleven people beloved to have been at the side of President Salvador Allende when he was ousted in a September 1973 military coup.

* Mexico: Californian officials shot down Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “off-the-cuff remark” on sending inmates to Mexico to serve time.

* Argentina: Diego Maradona returned from his two-month suspension to coach Argentina to a 3-2 win over Costa Rica in a friendly.

Online Sources- YouTube, Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News, Goal.com

Daily Headlines: January 15, 2010

* Venezuela: Citing the need for his government to “rectify” mistakes, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez ordered an indefinite suspension of rolling blackouts in Caracas.

* Argentina: Coming soon to a TV near you – a channel dedicated to Argentine soccer legend/coaching joke Diego Maradona.

* Mexico: If you’re planning to nosh on chicharrones while crossing the Mexican border into the U.S. you may want to think again.

* Panama: Ex-president Ernesto Perez Balladares was placed under house arrest after being accused of money laundering.

Image – Guardian UK (“Police officers control traffic during a partial blackout in Caracas, Venezuela.”)
Online Sources- Bloomberg, ABC News, USA TODAY, MSNBC

News Briefs: Fútbol

* Latin America: Costa Rica and Uruguay were oh-so-close from qualifying for the World Cup yet came up short in the closing minutes of the final qualifying matches. Eager to overcome that disappointment both teams faced off in the first of a two game play-in series on Saturday. Uruguay won 1-0 and will make it to the World Cup if they either win or tie this Wednesday in Montevideo.

* Argentina: Soccer’s governing body punished Argentine team coach Diego Maradona for his vulgar outburst at the press last month. “El Diez” was fined $24,000 and prohibited from “any football related activity” for two months. His ban will be up several months before the World Cup is set to begin in South Africa.

* Mexico: On a very somber note, former Mexican international Antonio De Nigris passed away on Sunday night. The 31-year-old attacker died in Greece where he had been playing for local side Larissa and initial reports indicate that he may’ve died due to a heart attack. The following are some of De Nigris’ goals from when he played with northern Mexican club Monterrey:

Online Sources- New York Times, The Latin Americanist, ESPN, YouTube, Canadian Press

Daily Headlines: November 12, 2009

* Colombia: A judge threw out a lawsuit against U.S. coal company Drummond over alleged ties to Colombian paramilitaries while an environmental damage lawsuit was filed in a British court by Colombian farmers against oil giant BP.

* U.S.: Sen. Max Baucus has urged President Barack Obama be more active in seeking free trade pacts with several countries including Chile, Panama, and Colombia.

* Mexico: Parts of Mexico City grounded to a halt due to protests in solidarity with former workers at the recently defunct energy firm Luz y Fuerza.

* Argentina: Men’s national soccer team coach Diego Maradona is expected to attend a FIFA disciplinary hearing on Sunday regarding his vulgar tirade after last month’s pivotal World Cup qualifier versus Uruguay.

Image – Guardian UK (The late Colombian rightist paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso meeting with fellow soldiers in this archived photo).
Online Sources- ESPN Soccernet, LAHT, Reuters, AP, Guardian UK, The Latin Americanist

Press outburst could cost Maradona

Diego Maradona may be the mythical “el Diez” in his native Argentina yet but perhaps “el bocón” (the bigmouth) is a better nickname after his recent outburst.

Since becoming the coach of Argentina’s men’s national soccer team Maradona has been severely criticized for helming a side that has been inconsistent such as a 6-1 loss by Bolivia. The rocky road to South Africa was only secured via a 1-0 win versus Uruguay in the final qualifier on Wednesday.

After the match, Maradona snapped and ripped his critics in the Argentine press:

"Now they can suck it! Thank you, thank you to all Argentines, except for the journalists.

"They can suck it now, they can suck it now, they can suck it now, they can suck it good!

"Come on, come on Carlos! I told you I wanted you. They can suck it now! Come on, damn it.

"These ******* journalists, the bitch who gave birth to them...

"For the people, for the people!"

In the press conference afterwards, 'El Diez' was no less vulgar.

"For the people. For those who didn't believe, for those who never believed, they can suck it. And keep on sucking it.

"I am white or black, I'll never be grey in my life."

Maradona’s boasting may’ve felt like personal revenge against his critics yet soccer’s global body could sanction him. "We've been left with no other option than to open a disciplinary investigation into the Argentinean team coach," said FIFA head honcho Sepp Blatter who warned that Maradona may be suspended and/or fined as much as about $30,000.

Maradona- who once used an air rifle to shoot at reporters- was blasted by the Argentine press for his ugly tirade. Yet Argentine Football Association chief Julio Grondona defended him as “a temperamental person” while t-shirts bearing the phrase "they can keep sucking it" are reportedly a hot item in Argentina.

Online Sources- Goal.com, Fox Sports, BBC News, The Latin Americanist, YouTube, AFP

World Cup Qualifers: A tale of two coaches

A slate of soccer World Cup qualifiers took place over the weekend. We’ll highlight two matches in particular.

As a player, Diego Maradona was a magician on the field and undoubtedly one of the best soccer player’s ever. His prowess on the field has not translated itself to the bench, however. The doubts over his hiring as Argentina’s head coach have grown after several embarrassing losses including a 6-1 drubbing in Bolivia.

Saturday’s match against bitter regional rivals Brazil should have served as a shot in the arm for Argentina and Maradona. Instead it was Brazil who emerged on top as they became the first country in the Americas to directly qualify for next year’s World Cup:

In other scores:

• Paraguay 1- Bolivia 0 (Paraguay inched closer to joining Brazil in South Africa)
• Chile 2- Venezuela 2 (Both teams shared the spoils in Santiago)
• Colombia 2- Ecuador 0 (Colombia’s victory was marred by violence after the game)
• Peru 1- Uruguay 0 (A last minute goal by last place Peru shocked Uruguay)
  

Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre was reappointed last April to head Mexico after the disappoint Sven-Goran Eriksson era in Mexico. Since then he has proved to be the right man for the job after drubbing the U.S. in the Gold Cup and beating them again in a key qualifier in Mexico City. Aguirre has righted a leaking ship especially after Saturday’s 3-0 shutout of Costa Rica in San Jose:

In other scores:

• U.S.2- El Salvador 1 (Two goals in five minutes helped the U.S. avoid being upset)
• Honduras 4- Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Honduras is one of four teams vying for three direct qualifying places after their easy win)
  

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, USA TODAY, Canadian Press, YouTube, Reuters, AP, Living in Peru

Soccer's Prodigal Son Returns

Contributed by Sir Jorge Orduna

You know countries are desperate for national Soccer glory when they erase the past on their controversial past and allow them a chance at redemption, even if it is not exactly a 180 in regards to moral issues. But when you're not on top of the Latin American soccer world, desperate times call for desperate measures. So it is no surprise to this psuedo-reporter that Argentina has flip flopped in favor of putting soccer legend Diego Maradona as head coach of the National soccer team.

Argentina has a long history of great soccer, but with the recent World Cup performances lacking that impressive swagger that Argentina fans used to brag about, maybe this move was one that was a long time coming. It seems a bit awkward considering that similar moves to get former stars into the coaching arena hasn't really panned out for other countries. For instance, Mexico's former coach Hugo Sanchez, failed to bring his skills from the field off the field and bring home a World Cup birth. So what makes Argentina think that Maradona could make a miracle happen? One might argue that comparing the two former icons of Latin American soccer is like comparing apples to oranges, but there are similarities in the coaching style that former players often exhibit right into the losers corner.

While Mexico battles drug cartels, Peru sees increasing violence, Honduras battles cult uprisings, and so much more going on at the same time around the world, maybe Argentina is banking on distractions to help them cruise into a world cup victory in 2010. Reactions have been mixed in regards to this announcement and the media is awash in praise or backhanded compliments over this somewhat familiar move for American news readers.

Maradona has hit the ground running so far, with a great win over Venezuela, in a World Cup qualifying match on Saturday. The 4-0 victory is the first one under the prodigal's helm. With Diego's sordid past in front of the minds of many soccer fans, it is not too outlandish to think that Venezuela might not have taken the Argentina squad seriously, but then again, this whole thing is somewhat of a shock to a more conservative and outspoken Latin American soccer world.

Everyone loves a rags to riches story, but who doesn't love a rags to riches to rags to riches story? Afterall, if our hero's fail for a long time, isn't the triumph so much greater? It seems that Hollywood has a good time structuring stories like this into sordid dramas of loss and triumph to millions of dollars. Maybe this is just Argentina's million dollar movie; in real life.

Image- Goal.com
Online Sources- Goal.com, washingtonpost.com, ESPN.com

Daily Headlines: March 12, 2009

* Peru: According to the World Bank, Peru may be the only Latin American country to avoid being hit by recession this year.

* Venezuela: Former senior State Department official Otto Reich denied being involved in the failed 2002 coup against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

* Argentina: Juan Roman Riquelme quit the country’s national soccer team and declared that he will never play under new coach Diego Maradona.

* Brazil: Police arrested 72 people accused of participating in a wild animal trafficking ring.

Image- ABC News (Tourists visiting the ancient Incan ruins of Macchu Pichu)
Online Sources- Voice of America, Reuters, IHT, AFP