As far as pre-season friendlies go, this was something a little out of the ordinary.
Diego Maradona, set to this week take up duties as manager of Fujairah in the UAE First Division, warmed up for his new role by mixing it with some of the great and the good from football’s past on Friday, when he played in a legends match for Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
The Argentine, appointed Fujairah manager in May, was one of a number of ex-pros invited to Brig, Switzerland, with an all-star cast that included Brazil’s Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini, Clarence Seedorf and Marco van Basten. Maradona featured for the World XI.
At 56, the former World Cup winner may not be quite the player he was back in 1986, but he still impressed the crowd with a few of the skills (see below) that make him widely recognised as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
His next stop is the UAE, where he will begin in earnest to plot Fujairah’s path back into the Arabian Gulf League. How about Ronaldo up front, for starters?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) congratulates former Argentinian football star Diego Maradona after he scored a goal during "The Gianni's game, the match of legends", a football match with football legends in honour of FIFA's President on July 7, 2017 in Brig. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI
Former Argentinian football star Diego Maradona reacts during "The Gianni's game, the match of legends", a football match with football legends in honour of FIFA's President on July 7, 2017 in Brig. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI
Former Argentinian football star Diego Maradona controls the ball during "The Gianni's game, the match of legends", a football match with football legends in honour of FIFA's President on July 7, 2017 in Brig. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI
Former Argentinian football star Diego Maradona takes selfies with supporters during "The Gianni's game, the match of legends", a football match with football legends in honour of FIFA's President on July 7, 2017 in Brig. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI
epa06073859 Argentinian former soccer star Diego Maradona (L) in action during the Gianni's game, a soccer match with many football legends, at the stadium Sportplatz Geschina, in Brig, Switzerland, 07 July 2017. EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
epa06073934 Italian former soccer player Alessandro Del Piero (L) greets Argentinian former soccer star Diego Maradona during the Gianni's game, a soccer match with many football legends, at the stadium Sportplatz Geschina, in Brig, Switzerland, 07 July 2017. EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
Former Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo, left, and former Argentinian soccer star Diego Maradona, right, share a joke as they arrive for the Gianni's game, a soccer match with football legends, in Brig, Switzerland, Friday, July 7, 2017. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, left, former Argentinian soccer star Diego Maradona, center, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, pose for a photo before the Gianni's game, a soccer match with football legends, in Brig, Switzerland, Friday, July 7, 2017. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
All matches in Bulawayo Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
