Diego Maradona: Al Wasl Manager Leaps into Stands to Defend Wife from Crowd

Dubai-based Gulf News is reporting that Al Wasl manager Diego Maradona climbed into the stands to defend his wife, Veronica, during a confrontation with opposition fans on Thursday night.

Maradona's side lost the match, 2-0, to Al Shabab, but the real drama began after the final whistle. That's when Maradona and several Al Wasl players leapt into the stands to aid their wives and girlfriends.

Local reports indicate the Argentinian contingent in the stands had become involved in a war of insults with the Al Shabab fans. The rising hostilities prompted police to step in and evacuate the wives and girlfriends of Al Wasl's players.

After the incident, Maradona spoke with Gulf News:

"

Some people are cowards. They only attack women and have no courage to confront men. This is the first time I am upset with the fans.

If they are angry with me they should know that I did it [climbed the stands] for my wife because someone was calling her names. They shouldn’t be angry with me, they should be angry with the people who did this. They are cowards, not real fans.

I accept defeat but I am not happy with what happened against the fans tonight. Any fans upset by this should know that I was only there to defend my wife and I am only against the people who were directly insulting my wife.

"

Maradona assumed the top job at Al Wasl when he signed a two-year contract with the club last May. The move came after a nearly two-year run as Argentina's boss ended following the country's quarterfinal exit from the 2010 World Cup.

Maradona's Al Wasl currently sit fifth in the Etisalat Pro League, 15 points off the lead.