Maradona in row over Riquelme availability to face Scots

Newly-appointed Argentina coach Diego Maradona has fallen out with Boca Juniors over his wish to select the club's star striker Juan Roman Riquelme for a November 19 friendly against Scotland in Glasgow.

The Buenos Aires side threatened on Tuesday not to release him with Boca and San Lorenzo vying for the league ttile with just five games to go.

“At the moment Roman's presence is more important to us,” insisted Boca vice-chairman Jose Beraldi, who implied the club might refuse to release him.

But Maradona, who will take charge of the national side for the first time against the Scots, insisted for his part that “you don't say no to the national team.”

He indicated he understood that Riquelme has “played many matches” this season but added that the issue of his availability was not one which allowed for “shades of grey. It is a black and white issue.”