Rival fans throw stones at Maradona in Al Ain

Al Wasl Football Company, which owns Al Wasl football club, on Monday criticised Al Ain football club’s fans for throwing stones at its Head Coach Diego Maradona and attacking its fans, said a press statement on Monday.

The club also denounced Al Ain club’s Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu for improper gesture towards Maradona.

A press statement sent to Emirates 24l7 said that it occurred on Saturday, November 19, in Al Ain where the Al Ain football club’s “coach and his assistant celebrated in a derogatory and disrespect manner following a goal that was scored by Al Ain.”

The Al Ain coach was dismissed for the remainder of the match.

“The behaviour is unacceptable and unsportsmanlike... Al Wasl personally feels that there is no place for what transpired last Saturday in the game of football, and that Al Ain - as a respectable team - should be above such behaviour,” Al Wasl Football Company said in a statement on Monday.

“Things went from bad to worse as the coaches took to the post-match press conferences, where the tension was also evident in Cosmin’s distasteful statements, which attacked Maradona’s personal life,” it said.

Maradona showed his animosity for the coach’s behaviour on the pitch, saying, “All that happened was not right and unacceptable in professional football. While the coach is entitled to celebrate the team’s victories, there is a manner and a way of doing so without aggravating the opponent – and that does not reflect what happened last Saturday.  Just last week, in the 5th round of the Etisalat Cup, Al Wasl beat Al Ain 1-0 in Zabeel Stadium, and we did not show any signs of disrespect when we scored. This is not fair play,” the statement added.

Maradona has gone back to Argentina due to the demise of his mother, 81, on Saturday.

Maradona did not speak publicly after arriving at Buenos Aires' international airport. He was reported to be in charge of making funeral arrangements, but details have not been released.

Ahmed Khalifa, Al Wasl Football Company Media Office Manager, said: “Al Wasl is upset at the inconveniences that were suffered by Maradona and Al Wasl fans from a group of Al Ain fans who surprisingly attacked by throwing stones at them and their cars, and even physically attacking a few. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable, as Al Wasl fans are one of the main pillars of Al Wasl and we will not allow anyone to inflict any harm upon them. We are patiently awaiting the Pro-League Committee’s decision, and are confident that they will take the necessary action against the wrong-doers following the irresponsible acts that Al Wasl fans fell victim to.”

Khalifa added, “During the post-match press conference, Maradona’s comments were restricted to the match and what happened during the ninety minutes only, and as such, Cosmin should have followed suit. The coach should be a role model for the team, fans and spectators in general, most especially stemming from the long history of camaraderie and friendship between Al Wasl and Al Ain.”

Khalifa said: “Commenting about Maradona’s personal life, past and history, is unacceptable and is irrelevant to any matter that is currently at hand. It is very surprising that a professional coach like Cosmin, who has a lot of experience in the game, would say something like this. We urge that from now on, he stick to what goes on during the match.”

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