MILAN, Apr 3: Diego Maradona, faced with a suspension from soccer for using cocaine, on Wednesday was quoted by an Italian newspaper as saying he's retiring for good, reports AP.
"I had enough. I am tired of struggling. I am retiring (from soccer) for good," the 30-year-old Argentine player told a correspondent of Milan's Cor-riere Della Sera.
The captain of Italian major league Napoli and of the Argentine national team gave a brief interview during a flight from Rome to Buenos Aires.
He refused to talk to reporters on his arrival In his native country.
Maradona left Italy Tuesday as the disciplinary commission of the Italian league prepared to rule on his doping case.
The Argentine star, one of the best-known and highest paid player in the world, tested positive for cocaine use following a league game last month and faces a suspension from six months to two years.
The penalty will be decided by a 11-member panel of the disciplinary commission in Milan on Saturday.
“Now I want to enjoy life. 1 want to enjoy my daughters.” Maradona was quoted as saying by Corriere.
Maradona s lawyer, Enzo Maria Sinlscalchl. said he expects the minimum penalty for Maradona — a six-month suspension — because cocaine can t be considered perfor mance-enhancing if taken several hours before a game
According to the experts who tested Maradona s urine samples, the player possibly took cocaine 18 to 30 hours before the Napoli Bari match of March 17.
Ur will not appeal the sen tence If Maradona is given the minimum penalty." Sinlscalchl told Milan's sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Saturday's decision by the disciplinary commission can be appealed by Maradona s lawyer with the Federal Coun ell, which would give a final
sentence by mid-April.
Several Italian newspapers devoted up to two pages to the Maradona case, describing the past feats and the recent problems of one of the best soccer players ever.
In addition to the doping case. Maradona is involved in a paternity case in a Naples court and has been questioned in connection with a drug trafficking and prostitution investigation.
The bitter aspect of this case Is that soccer has lost a protagonist," said Lothar Matthaeus. the German midfielder of Internazlonale who was Maradona's rival in last year's World Cup final between west Germany and Argentina.
"He has been the greatest soccer player I ever saw In action." said Luca di Monteze-molo. vice president of Juventus of Turin and head of the World Cup organization in Italy. "I want to thank him for what he has done to soccer, whatever the outcome of this case can be."
"He has been the best soccer player in the world for ten years. lie can't end his career this way," commented Vujadln Boskov. the Yugoslav coach of league leader Sampdoria of Genoa.
Meanwhile AP from Buenos Aires adds: if Diego Maradona plays stx-ccr again, it probably won't be In Italy.
"One thing is certain: He will return only on holiday or for a judicial citation." Mar adona's business manager Marco Franchi said Tuesday after they arrived home from Rome.
Maradona. 30, faces worldwide suspension for at least six months and possibly two years. Italian league officials found traces of cocaine in his urine after Napoli's March 17 game against Bart.
The moody forward, the most acclaimed soccer player in the world, has refused to Comment since Friday s an nouncement by the Italian Soccer Federation
Maradona and Franchi have hinted — without offering proof — that the incident
somehow is motivated by Argentina's victory over Italy in last year's World Cup semifinal, and Maradona's expressed desire to break his contract with Napoli and play for another club.
"I am certain that the clouds will be dispelled ^xw." Maradona said in a statement distributed in Rome by the Italian news agency ANSA. "I sincerely hope to return to soccer with a clean image which in vain someone is trying to alter."
After eluding reporters and photographers at Ezeiza international airport. Maradona told them tersely at his parents' house. "Enough was said on this issue in Italy. I have nothing to add."
There, he celebrated hfs daughter Dalma's fourth birthday. A TV camera caught him booting a tennis ball soccerstyle against a wall and bouncing it off his head.
In response to a question whether Maradona ever used cocaine. Franchi looked uncertain how to respond, but said several times. "No way."
The Italian leagues 11-lawyer disciplinary commission is set to rule Saturday on the length of Maradona's suspension. The suspension automatically will be extended worldwide by the Internationa] Federation of Football Association (FIFA), soccer's governing body.
"We don't think we have to go into action on a big scale because of this case." FIFA General Secretary Joseph Blatter said in Zurich. Switzerland. The reasons behind ft probably havf little to do with sports If everything one reads Is confirmed, ft is a somewhat tragic case for him personally — and as role model In soccer. But he has nt been that for a while, because of his general behavior "
Argentine sports commentators have wondered whether Maradona could return to pro soccer after a long absence. He has a chronic back problem, a damaged left ankle and tendency to put on weight.
The fall from grace has
been steep. At the 1986 World Cup. won by Argentina. Mar adona was the most valuable player. He ted Napoli to its first league title in 60 years in 1987 and did it again last sea son. He then captained the Ar gentine national team that lost last summer s World Cup final 1-0 to West Germany
Argentine fans remain loyal to the player they v< idolized since he moved up to the national team at the precocious age of 15. But the government of President Carlos Menem, who made Maradona his "sports ambassador" last year, has not rallied to his defense.
In response to calls that Maradona resign the honorary position, presidential press secretary Humberto Toledo said. "You have to waft for Jus-llce to take Its course."
Others at government House said quietly that Maradona should "have the grace" to step down on his own. the private news agency Diariosy Noticias reported.
The head of the national anti-drug programme. Alberto Lestelle. said flatly tn an interview broadcast by Radio Riva-davla that Maradona should resign for failing to set "an example .... for the youths of this country (and ) the world'
In recent months. Maradona has been beset by controversy. He has refused to practice and play for Napoil. been questioned by police Investigating drug trafficking and prostitution, and been named in a paternity suit.
His contract with Napoli runs through 1993 He earns 2 million dollars a year from that, and more from commercial endorsements and appearances.
' It is precisely soccer that Is hurt the most." said Abilto d Almeida of Brazil, a member of FIFA's executive committee.
"People not connected with the sport will think that this is common, that it happens all the time."
"And It's worse because It involves a player of international renown. If he were a second or thiid-rateplayer.no one would pay any attention "