Time Out

Maradona says sorry?

BUENOS AIRES: Diego Maradona apologised to the world’s women on Friday for his explicit, foul-mouthed rant which followed Argentina’s World Cup qualification, but refused to say sorry to journalists. “I apologise to women, to my mother, to Argentinian women, to Uruguayan women and to women throughout the world. But only to them, not the others,” Maradona told TyC Sports television. Maradona is facing censure by FIFA after his now infamous rant at the media following Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday which guaranteed the country’s place at the 2010 World Cup. — AFP

Celtic fume over ban

GLASGOW: Celtic chiefs are fuming after the Scottish Football Association (SFA) decided to uphold Glenn Loovens’ ban for his challenge on Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu. Loovens, 25, was suspended by the SFA’s disciplinary committee after they reviewed footage which appeared to show the Holland international flicking a boot at Edu during an Old Firm derby at Ibrox in May. He was punished with a one-match ban and had 12 points added to his disciplinary points total for “misconduct of a significantly serious nature”. He appealed against the decision but lost on Thursday. — AFP

Hodgson unaware

LONDON: Fulham manager Roy Hodgson insisted on Friday that he has not been approached about becoming Sweden’s new coach. Hodgson has been linked with the job since Lars Lagerback’s nine-year reign as Sweden manager ended on Wednesday following the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup. The 62-year-old Hodgson began his managerial career with Swedish club Halmstads in 1976 and also had spells with Malmo and Orebro in the Swedish league. He admitted he was flattered to be mentioned as a candidate but played down any suggestion he might be interested in leaving the Premier League club. — AFP