Maradona to coach Argentina?

Nov 5, 2005

Diego Maradona will be given a role with Argentina's national team and could take over as coach following the 2006 World Cup, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona said on Saturday.

"Diego has been incorporated into the national team staff," Grondona told Radio La Red in an interview, one day after meeting Maradona to discuss his future with the national team.

"He will do whatever is necessary.. After (the friendlies against) England and Qatar, we will clear up the uneasiness and anxiety of certain media to see what one will do and what the other will do," he added.

Grondona, who on Friday reiterated his backing for Pekerman, said that during the meeting, the coach had told Maradona: "You are the national team."

Grondona said he saw a bright future for Maradona, who has made an outstanding recovery after undergoing drugs rehabilitation last year and a gastric bypass operation in March.

"If things go according to plan, Maradona has a future with the national team and I don't think there's anyone who deserves it more," he said.


Maradona interested in working with Chavez
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-03-30 10:48


Riots mar Americas summit opening
BBC
11/04/05

Hundred of protesters have run riot in Argentina, throwing rocks at police just blocks away from the opening of a summit attended by 34 Americas leaders.

Groups of demonstrators approached security cordons around the summit, and a bank was set on fire as police fired tear gas to disperse the rioters.

US President George W Bush is one of the leaders present, for discussions which include free trade and poverty.

Mr Bush faces opposition over plans to revive talks on a free trade area.

As the meeting opened, there was no indication that any compromise had been reached.

Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez told protesters earlier he would bury the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) - and defeat US "imperialism".