Argentina legend Diego Maradona feels FIFA has not changed at all despite changes experienced at its helm.
Gianni Infantino took charge of the world football governing body after Sepp Blatter was suspended by FIFA ethics committee after approving £1.3m payment to UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011.
“I sent a letter to [FIFA president, Gianni] Infantino in which I resigned from (the post of) being captain of (FIFA) legends. Since [former FIFA president, Sepp] Blatter and [former Argentina Football Association president, Julio] Grondona left, FIFA hasn’t changed a bit. No change. They put us [in a hotel room] with (former Dutch player, Marco) van Basten and another player. And they treated us as if we were little dogs that only needed to be fed and that’s it. A total lack of respect. That’s why I resigned. And now, I will start revealing what I know about this new FIFA,” the 1986 World Cup winner claimed.
Maradona also challenged Zvonimir Boban to a boxing fight after the duo reportedly fell out at the hotel where members of the FIFA Legends programme were staying. Boban is FIFA’s deputy general secretary.
“Also, I would like to say to Boban that if he wants to look good, let’s go to a (boxing) ring. He shouldn’t have come to the hotel and got angry. The worst part is that Boban was sent by someone. And this someone is (Gianni) Infantino. I am not a 20-year-old kid, I am 58. It hurts me because I believed in these people. Now I don’t believe them anymore.” Maradona said.
