Al Wasl apologise to Diego Maradona following confrontation with fans

Diego Maradona (GETTY IMAGES)

Al Wasl have apologised to manager Diego Maradona after he confronted fans who verbally abused his partner and friends during his side's UAE Pro-League match at the weekend.

The club described Maradona's actions as "what any honourable person would do" after the former Argentina captain and coach stormed into the stands during the 2-0 defeat at Al Shabab.

Maradona left the touchline after noticing the altercation in the VIP area before he had to be restrained by several police in a match shown live on UAE television.

Maradona, 51, later labelled the fans as "cowards" on Gulf News before his Dubai-based club today issued an apology.

"The management of Al Wasl Football Company denounce the harassment suffered by the family and guests of Diego Armando Maradona, head coach of Al Wasl Football Club in Al Shabab's stadium during the last match of the professional league," a statement on the club's website, www.alwaslsc.ae, read.

"A few irresponsible fans verbally abused Maradona's wife and his guests during the match."

Al Wasl's acting chief executive officer, Abdullah Al-Bishr, also backed Maradona's "understandable" actions in the same statement.

"Al Wasl Football Company finds Maradona's behaviour understandable, when he went into the stands to protect his wife and guests; it is what any honourable person would do," he said.

"We offer our sincere apologies to Maradona for what took place on behalf of the few who offended UAE culture by their actions.

"This is a society, which by its very nature, does not insult women by cursing and harassing, but is brought up to treat them with respect."

PA