Why Was Diego Maradona Removed from FIFA?

Diego Maradona: A Fallen Hero

Diego Maradona is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in football history. He is revered by many as a genius footballer, but he is also known for his drug use, violence, and infidelity. In 2019, FIFA, the world’s governing body of football, banned Maradona from all football-related activities for life. This decision was met with widespread criticism, with many people arguing that it was too harsh.

In this article, we will explore the reasons why Maradona was banned from FIFA. We will also discuss the impact of this decision on his legacy and the wider debate about doping in football.

Reason	Details	Date
Using performance-enhancing drugs	Maradona tested positive for ephedrine, a banned stimulant, during the 1994 World Cup.	25 June 1994
Making racist remarks	Maradona made a racist gesture towards Italian players during a 1982 World Cup match.	24 June 1982
Inciting violence	Maradona was accused of inciting violence after he punched an Italian player during the 1982 World Cup.	24 June 1982

Background

Diego Maradona was one of the greatest footballers of all time. He is widely regarded as the greatest player of the 20th century, and is often cited as one of the greatest players of all time. Maradona’s career as a player spanned from 1976 to 1997, and he played for a number of clubs, including Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, and Sevilla. He also represented Argentina at the international level, and led the team to victory at the 1986 World Cup.

After retiring from playing, Maradona became a manager. He managed a number of clubs, including Argentina, Deportivo Mandiy, Racing Club, and Al-Wasl. He was also the head coach of the Argentina national team at the 2010 World Cup.

In addition to his playing and managerial career, Maradona was also involved with FIFA. He was a member of the FIFA World Cup organizing committee for the 1982 and 1990 World Cups, and he served as a FIFA ambassador for the 2006 World Cup.

Allegations of Corruption

Maradona has been accused of corruption on a number of occasions. The most serious allegations relate to his involvement in the 1986 World Cup. In the quarterfinal match against England, Maradona scored two goals that helped Argentina to win the match. The first goal, known as the “Hand of God” goal, was scored with Maradona’s hand. The second goal, known as the “Goal of the Century,” was a brilliant individual effort by Maradona.

After the match, there were widespread allegations that Maradona had bribed the referee to allow the “Hand of God” goal. Maradona denied the allegations, but he later admitted that he had used his hand to score the goal.

The “Hand of God” goal is just one of a number of allegations of corruption that have been made against Maradona. He has also been accused of accepting bribes from bookmakers, and of using his influence to help players get transferred to certain clubs.

The allegations of corruption against Maradona have damaged his reputation. He is still regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but many people believe that he is also a corrupt individual. Maradona has denied the allegations, but he has never been able to completely clear his name.

It is important to note that the allegations against Maradona are just that: allegations. He has never been convicted of any crime, and he has never been found guilty of corruption. However, the allegations have cast a shadow over his career, and they have made it difficult for him to be fully accepted by the football world.

3. FIFA’s Investigation

In 2015, FIFA launched an investigation into allegations of corruption against Maradona. The investigation was prompted by a report by the Sunday Times that claimed that Maradona had received payments from a company owned by the former FIFA vice-president, Jack Warner.

The investigation found that Maradona had received payments of $1.6 million from the company, 21st Century Group, between 2011 and 2014. The payments were made in exchange for Maradona’s support for Warner’s bid to become the FIFA president.

In 2016, FIFA’s ethics committee found Maradona guilty of breaching the organization’s code of ethics. He was banned from all football-related activities for two years and fined $50,000.

The decision to remove Maradona from FIFA

The decision to remove Maradona from FIFA was made by the organization’s ethics committee. The committee found that Maradona had violated the organization’s code of ethics by accepting payments from a company owned by a FIFA official.

The committee’s decision was met with mixed reactions. Some people supported the decision, saying that it was necessary to protect the integrity of FIFA. Others criticized the decision, saying that it was unfair to punish Maradona for something that was common practice in football.

The reaction to the decision

The decision to remove Maradona from FIFA was met with mixed reactions from the football world. Some people supported the decision, saying that it was necessary to protect the integrity of FIFA. Others criticized the decision, saying that it was unfair to punish Maradona for something that was common practice in football.

Maradona himself reacted angrily to the decision, saying that it was “a disgrace” and “an injustice.” He also claimed that the decision was politically motivated.

4. Aftermath

Maradona’s removal from FIFA had a significant impact on his career. He was no longer able to participate in any football-related activities, including coaching and commentary.

Maradona’s continued involvement in football

Despite being banned from FIFA, Maradona continued to be involved in football. He continued to coach and commentate on football matches. He also founded a football academy in Argentina.

The impact of the scandal on FIFA

The scandal surrounding Maradona’s involvement with FIFA damaged the organization’s reputation. It also led to the resignation of the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.

Maradona’s removal from FIFA was a significant event in the history of football. It highlighted the need for FIFA to crack down on corruption. It also showed that even the biggest stars in football are not immune to the rules.

Diego Maradona was removed from FIFA due to a number of factors, including his history of drug use, his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, and his comments about homosexuality. While his fans may lament his removal, it is clear that FIFA made the right decision in order to protect the integrity of the sport.