Maradona slams Flores, media

Al Wasl boss Diego Maradona has blamed Al Ahli coach Quique Sanchez Flores for provoking goalkeeper Majed Nasser.

Nasser was given a 17-game ban by the UAE FA Disciplinary Committee after Sunday’s Emirates Cup semi-final between the two sides which ended in tense scenes, with the ‘keeper slapped the back of Quique Sanchez’s head as he celebrated with his players.

The outspoken Argentine coach – who made it clear he wasn’t defending Nasser’s actions – slammed Flores for provoking his keeper and claimed the Spaniard should also be punished.

“In the first half, as Nasser retrieved the ball from behind the goal, Sanchez Flores implied that Nasser was crazy and that is what started the whole issue,” Maradona said.

“I feel Flores is also at fault and feel he should also be penalised. I have never seen this in 35 years in the game. I would never do this. Quique had a great career, but he is at the same level as the guys who stop football from evolving.”

“I am not in any way defending Majed, but I would ask for the decision to be fair. I would ask the committee to focus on both incidents and decide which one warrants more severe punishment.”

Maradona also made it clear that Al Wasl will seek to appeal the ban which he said was excessive.

The Argentine also slammed Spanish newspaper Marca who reported that Maradona had influenced Nasser into his act.

“Marca don’t know anything about what’s happening here so how can they imply that I would tell my player to act against another person?” Maradona said.

“I don’t know how much Marca are being paid, but they are being paid well.”

“There are some crazy people in the world, and a lot of them are working for Marca. It’s pure stupidity from Spanish journalists and I will never conduct a single interview with journalists from that newspaper again.”