Maradona. Photo / AP

Maradona. Photo / AP

ZURICH - Fifa has banned Argentina coach Diego Maradona from all football activities for two months for his expletive-filled rants aimed at journalists after his team qualified for the World Cup.

Fifa's disciplinary committee excluded him from soccer until January 15 following a three-hour session. The 49-year-old coach will miss Argentina's friendly against the Czech Republic scheduled December 16. He also was fined 25,000 Swiss francs (about $34,000).

Fifa said Maradona apologised to the world football family during his 40-minute appearance before the panel, which had the authority to ban him from World Cup matches in South Africa next year.

"The committee took into consideration the apologies, and the sincere remorse shown by Maradona, in its decision," a Fifa statement said.

The 1986 World Cup-winning captain launched his profane tirade at media critics after Argentina beat Uruguay 1-0 in its final qualifier last month in Montevideo. "To those who did not believe in us - and, ladies, forgive me - they can suck it, and keep on sucking it," he said.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter referred the outburst to the governing body's disciplinary panel which invited Maradona to explain his behaviour.

The Argentina icon arrived at Fifa's headquarters in Zurich direct from Madrid, where his team was beaten 2-1 by European champion Spain in a friendly on Sunday.

Maradona arrived for the hearing at Fifa headquarters in Zurich 50 minutes after the scheduled start time, waving to journalists and a small group of flag-waving Argentina supporters from the back of a limousine. He left more than two-and-a-half hours later, looking more serious having been told his punishment.

Maradona appeared before a select group of officials drawn from the 17-member disciplinary panel.

Maradona was judged by Article 57 of Fifa's displinary code relating to "offensive gestures or language".

"The committee stressed that any breach of this decision or any repetition of a similar incident would mean that stronger sanctions would have to be imposed," Fifa said.

Maradona is likely to return for a March 3 friendly against Germany in Munich.

Revered by fans in Argentina, he has had a tense relationship with Argentine media since becoming national team coach a year ago, midway through a stuttering qualifying campaign.

His team then lost four of its next six qualifiers, including a 6-1 thrashing in Bolivia and a 3-1 home loss to old rival Brazil, before winning its final two matches to clinch passage to South Africa.

- AP