Newsdesk - Maradona Ousted as Argentina Coach; Barcelona Debt Crisis Revealed

(WFI) Diego Maradona’s colourful spell as Argentina manager has come to an end after he was effectively sacked by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) executive committee.

His departure comes after committee “unanimously” decided against renewing Maradona's contract.

"The president of the Argentinian Football Association, Mr Julio Grondona, made the members of the executive committee aware of the conversation with Mr Diego Maradona, setting out the points which had come out from the meeting," said a short statement on the AFA's website.

"The executive committee unanimously resolved not to renew the contract with Mr Diego Maradona as coach of the Argentina national football team."

As recently as the weekend Maradona had been tipped to stay on as national manager, despite the country’s humiliating World Cup quarter-final exit -- a 4-0 defeat to Germany.

However reported disagreements about the make up of his backroom staff precipitated Maradona’s exit.

"Maradona's requirements were very far from the FA's possibilities,” said AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo.
The end of Maradona’s unlikely 21-month career as national manager brings to an end one of the most tumultuous spells in Argentina’s footballing history.

During that time Maradona used 107 players and only managed to qualify for South Africa after a dramatic injury time win over Peru last October and subsequent victory over Uruguay. Argentina’s qualification campaign also featured a 6-1 defeat to Bolivia and a foul-mouthed rant against journalists – earning him a three month ban from FIFA - once qualification had been secured.

Certainly life under Maradona was never dull and not once in his time as coach did Argentina draw a match. A sparkling start to the World Cup saw some tip Argentina as favourites, but the coach’s tactical naivety was cruelly exposed by Germany.

Argentina go into next month’s friendly with Ireland in Dublin without a manager, but the AFA hope to have a permanent manager in place when they face world champions Spain in September.

Barcelona debt crisis revealed
A fresh audit into Barcelona’s finances revealed that the Spanish champions posted a loss of €77million last season and have total debts of €442million.

The audit by Deloitte was commissioned by new president Sandro Rosell, who took office on July 1. The figures call into question the €11million profit claimed by the previous board.

“The figures presented by the former board don't reflect the real image," said Barcelona's vice-president for economic affairs Javier Faus.

"There is a structural problem. The sporting excellence in the last few years has not been reflected in economic excellence. The new board's goal is to bring economic excellence alongside sporting excellence."

Earlier this month Barcelona took out a €155million loan to ease cashflow problems, and Rosell claimed that the club would need to embark on an “austerity policy.”

Ukrainian defender Dmitryo Chygrynskiy was sold to ease the club’s financial predicament, while Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure and France forward Thierry Henry have also been allowed to leave.

Although striker David Villa arrived at the Nou Camp in a €40million deal in May, a multi-million move for the Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas now looks less likely.

Regan new Scottish football CEO
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has made Stewart Regan its new CEO, following the departure of Gordon Smith in April.

The 46 year old joins the SFA having held a similar position at Yorkshire Cricket Club. He was previously a director of England’s Football League and was involved in its successful rebranding six years ago.

“I am absolutely delighted to join as Chief Executive and regard this as another huge challenge in my career. From my recent posts with The Football League and Coors Brewers, I have experience of working with a number of the key stakeholders in Scottish football.



“Scottish football has not been immune to the difficulties of the current financial climate but the passion and commitment to the national game in this country remains unrivalled. It is this loyalty and dedication that will be essential to re-establishing the game.



“I am aware there is currently a great debate on the way forward for Scottish football and it is my intention to bring all the relevant parties closer together to achieve the obvious common goal of improving the overall standard of the No.1 sport in this country.”

SFA president George Peat said that Regan fulfilled the SFA’s criteria for wide-ranging business skills and a “thick skin”.

“Of all the applications we received, Stewart’s stood out for the level of his success in business and sport but also for the diversity of his experience,” he said.

By INSIDER’s James Corbett.

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