THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ZURICH, Switzerland -- 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 panel heard Maradona give evidence during a three-hour hearing Sunday before excluding him from football until January 15.
The 49-year-old coach will miss Argentina's friendly against the Czech Republic on Dec. 16. He also was fined 25,000 Swiss francs (C$26,000).
FIFA said Maradona apologized to the world football family and showed "sincere remorse."
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.
