Argentina retires number 10 shirt

Argentine soccer authorities have decided to retire the national team's hallowed number 10 shirt in honour of Diego Maradona.

Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona announced late on Tuesday that the number 10 shirt would be withdrawn from November 14 when Argentina meet Uruguay in a World Cup qualifying game.

Maradona retired from professional football in 1997 after a career that earned him accolades as the best player of his generation and one of the best of all time.

The number 10 shirt will also be absent from Argentina's under-21 and youth teams, where Maradona first displayed his skills to the world.

Grondona said the AFA would ask FIFA for special permission to officially omit the number 10 shirt from national games.

"Maradona has given us so much pleasure using this shirt and for this reason all members (of the executive committee) voted in favour," he said.

The apex of Maradona's glittering career was his brilliant goal against England in the 1986 World Cup finals. This was also the stage for Maradona to demonstrate the other side of his game when he scored a second goal with a cleverly disguised handball attributed cheekily to the "hand of God".

The Argentine coach from that era, Carlos Bilardo, praised the AFA move. "Apart from the recognition Maradona has received around the world, the measure will remove the weight of responsibility borne by any player using the number that shined so brightly on Maradona," he said.

Maradona scored a total of 61 goals in 138 games for his country. However, the latter stage of his career was marred by problems with alleged drug use and a life-threatening heart condition.

Maradona will also be honoured in a testimonial match between Boca Juniors and the Argentine national team four days before the Uruguay match.

Argentina top the South American qualifying group and are already assured of a place in the 2002 World Cup finals.