Maradona in shock link to Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH’S new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim last night distanced himself from sensational claims that Argentina boss Diego Maradona wants to join Pompey and bring a host of superstars with him.
Maradona’s lawyer said the World Cup-winner was ready to quit his current role in order to be a “global ambassador” for the Premier League club, with particular responsibility for attracting the cream of global talent. Angel Oscar Moyano added that Maradona would be able to lure three of the world’s most sought-after players – Argentina striker Sergio Aguero and Spain duo David Villa and David Silva – to Fratton Park.
Moyano offered Maradona’s services to Al Fahim, who this week completed his takeover of Portsmouth, in a series of emails.
“Diego Armando Maradona offers to work for Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim as sports adviser and talent spotter for the club around the world, and provide all his experience as one of the best ever football players as well as his media influence worldwide,” Moyano was quoted as writing by the website of Arabian Business magazine.
“He offers his mediation for signing players of top level who with the support of Diego Armando Maradona, will be ready to come to Portsmouth FC. He’s got all top players ready and even he’s ready to leave the Argentine national team.”
Those players offered are said to include Aguero, who has a child by one of Maradona’s daughters, Villa, Silva and Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o – although he is now poised to leave Barcelona for Inter Milan.
But Al Fahim played down suggestions of a Portsmouth revolution led by the iconic formerplayer.
“Somebody like Maradona can be great for developing the youth academy and acting as an ambassador for a club. But we are not in any talks,” he said. “Some emails have been sent by his lawyer, but those are the ideas of his people, not our people. We have our own plans and ideas.”