Maradona's In The News...A Lot!

We know all about the outgoing Diego Maradona from the 2010 World Cup, where he coached the Argentine side to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Germany.  Once again, Maradona has been in the news, and one of the reasons isn't going to help his prestige at all.

Recently Diego Maradona admitted that his national team took banned drugs before a match in 1993.  The match was a qualifying game for the 1994 World Cup, and Argentina were playing Australia.  The match took place in Buenos Aires.  Maradona says that the team doctor put a banned stimulant in their coffee before the game.  Argentina went on to win 1-0 and advance to the World Cup.  Later, in the World Cup itself (which was in the USA by the way), Maradona tested positive in a drug test and was banned.  His team lost in the quarterfinals.


Diego Maradona


Also recently, Maradona has taken over Al Wasl, a Dubai based club.  Corporate of the club has given him complete control over transfers, and the first player Maradona is looking to lure is Uruguayan sensation, Diego Forlan.  Forlan has been reported as wanting out of Athletico Madrid, as well as Sergio Aguero.  Both are very good strikers for Athletico, and will surely hurt the team badly if both were to leave.



Diego Forlan


So the question is, can we ever not have Diego Maradona on our mind?  Is he a positive influence on the game, bringing it excitement?  Or, is he a negative influence, not keeping the "classy" feel of top-class football?  What do you think?