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Maradona says Blatter wanting to drive him out of football

Last updated on: November 14, 2014 18:30 IST

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona jokes around as he makes a save in goal. Photograph: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has leveled charges against the FIFA president Sepp Blatter, accusing him of attempting to force him out of football.

Maradona, who is known for his famous 'Hand of God' goal during 1986 World Cup, stated that he has learned Blatter contacted club presidents in order to thwart any attempt to give him managerial contracts so as to keep him out of public eye, the Mirror reported.

The soccer star believes that people in UAE love him and he aspires to be the manager of one of Dubai's biggest teams.

However, he accused Blatter of making attempts to drive him out of football. The 54-year-old further said Blatter wouldn't let him watch the World Cup as he had exposed his true colours. 

"Blatter wouldn't let me watch the World Cup because I had exposed him, removed his mask.

"And now I can't manage in the UAE because he rings club presidents to stop them contracting me. That's something they've told me.

"Here they love me, they invite me to everything; I want to be the manager of one of Dubai's biggest teams, but I realise that Blatter is waiting to see how he can drive me out of football," he said about world football's most powerful man.