Maradona said to consider coaching Palestinian soccer team

Retired Argentinean superstar reportedly in talks over possibility of training national squad during upcoming Asia Cup

Argentinian soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona is reportedly in negotiations with the Palestinian Football Association over the possibility of coaching the Palestinian national team during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, which kicks off in Australia in January.

According to reports in Palestinian media Wednesday, Maradona was close to reaching an agreement with the association.

Maradona has been vocal in his support for Palestinian cause in the past, and has urged the speedy establishment of a Palestinian state.

“I am the number one fan of the Palestinian people,” he said in 2012. “I respect them and sympathize with them.”

The soccer star helped Argentina win the 1986 World Cup, including one controversial goal he famously attributed to “the hand of God.”

The Palestinian national soccer team qualified for its maiden Asian Cup appearance with a 1-0 win over injury-hit Philippines in the final of the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives in late May.

They will be placed in group D of the continental showpiece alongside defending champions Japan, Jordan and Iraq.

AFP contributed to this report.

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