Departing Argentina coach Diego Maradona lambasted officials of the Football Association, accusing them of lying to him about his future with the team. Maradona was dropped from his position on Wednesday after the AFA decided not to offer him an extension, despite early signs of staying. The Argentina legend said he wanted to carry on leading the Albiceleste, only on the condition that he keeps his backroom staff. Eventually, AFA president Julio Grondona and director of national teams Carlos Bilardo denied him his wish. "Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me. Having recovered from the sadness of the elimination, we were all ready to go on, knowing that we would have much more time to work," Maradona said in a statement. "After the elimination, Grondona told me in dressing room that he was very happy with my work and wanted me to continue. There were witnesses and players there. When we were back in Argentina, things became darker. "On Monday, I met Grondona and after five minutes he told me he wanted me to continue, but seven of my staff should not go on. If he told me that, it meant he did not want me to keep working. "He knows that it would be impossible for me to continue if my assistants didn't continue too. I defend all of them. "Maybe some of the people who made this decision thought I would betray them. Maybe it was because they would betray their assistants if they were me. But I will not do that.''
