Football: Maradona still in demand

(First Edition)

DIEGO MARADONA, who is still keen to play for Argentina in this year's World Cup finals, may turn out for a Buenos Aires side, San Lorenzo, in a friendly against Brazil's world club champions, Sao Paolo, on Sunday.

Fernando Miele, San Lorenzo's president, is confident of a full house at his club's new 43,000-capacity stadium. He expressed an interest in Maradona soon after he was sacked by another Argentine club, Newell's Old Boys, two weeks ago, and has now indicated that that he would like to sign him until the end of the season.

'When he was on the verge of signing for us he opted for Newell's,' Miele said. 'But now things are different and he could play for San Lorenzo. If Diego agrees, I will go and see him on Thursday and offer him the chance to play and train with us. It's up to him.

Maradona, who faces criminal charges after firing an air rifle at journalists two weeks ago, played for his country in their World Cup play-offs against Australia late last year. He was recalled after Argentina's humiliating 5-0 home defeat by Colombia in September. Now, though, his fortunes seem to be on the wane again, and he has been advised by the Argentinian media to retire.