‘I could’nt even talk on phone with players’-Maradona

(GSM) – Diego Maradona returns to Argentina’s bench when they play Costa Rica on Tuesday. The Argentine legend found it hard to cope with his two-month ban. “I would not wish this on anyone.”

The friendly match against Costa Rica marks the end of Maradona’s ban. El Pelusa was banned from football for two months following controversial comments at a press conference after his team secured their place at the World Cup finals.

“It was very hard but it’s past and now I’m only thinking about the World Cup,” said Maradona. “Those two months were very painful.

“I asked FIFA if I could pay a fine with my money and not to distance me from the players but I couldn’t do absolutely anything, just speak to the players on the phone.

“I don’t wish it on anybody.”

Maradona has called up more than 90 players for 15 matches, eight of them World Cup qualifiers, since his first game in charge, a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow in November 2008.

“of course I called up many, but I want to see them all.”