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The anti-imperialist policies of Maradona

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Recently, Maradona, who directs the Rayados de Sinaloa, dedicated the triumph of his team to Nicolás Maduro. As a result of this, he will be investigated by the Mexican Football Federation

The anti-imperialist policies of Maradona

Where does it start?

Maradona, who has always been an admirer of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, having him tattooed on one of his arms, notoriously began his participation in politics in 1987 when, a year after winning the World Cup in Mexico, he visited Fidel Castro to the island. According to the portal in English of teleSUR, since then, the former president and former soccer star staged meetings and interviews that strengthened their friendship until the death of Castro.

Leer en español: Las políticas anti-imperialistas de Maradona

The figure of "Che" Guevara has been the motivator in the political speeches of Maradona, referring to him as a person who "guides them from heaven," in the context of the death of Fidel Castro, who would join, according to Maradona, to Guevara and Chaves as leaders. Maradona, adopting the doctrine of Cuban anti-imperialism, has been critical of the neo-liberal policies of most countries in Latin America, and the foreign policies of the United States.

The Argentine has always respected Cuba's social policies and is a true admirer of the revolution, and has therefore supported Latin American governments with similar political positions, such as Lula in Brazil or Evo Morales. However, his relationship with Venezuela arises naturally from the friendship he built with Hugo Chavez, referring to him as a leader who "changed how Latin America thinks." After the death of Chavez, Maradona continued to support the Bolivarian revolution led by Nicolás Maduro.

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Maradona: a Venezuelan soldier

In the different instances and inconsistencies of the Venezuelan government, Maradona has always been present, physically or verbally. The Argentine has been awarded to the socialist struggle that Maduro has implemented and has supported him blindly.

Last Sunday, Maradona took advantage of the post-match press conference to refer to Nicolás Maduro and Donald Trump. The victory was dedicated to Nicolás Maduro and all the Venezuelan people, on the other hand, he referred to Trump as "chirolita", and, in an ironic tone, he spoke of the United States as "the sheriffs of the world, which are these Yankees, because they have the biggest bomb in the world they think they can take us ahead … not us, "he reported in his CNN reports in Spanish.

The Disciplinary Commission of the Mexican Football Federation will open an investigation process against the Argentine technical director. This, because it did not comply with the regulations, by not maintaining a neutral position on issues of a religious and political nature.

Footballers in politics

One of the most controversial cases in recent years is the former Italian striker, Paolo Di Canio, who claimed in his autobiographical book to be a faithful follower of Benito Mussolini. Four years later, on his return to Italian football, after scoring a goal, he celebrated with a fascist salute to the fans of Lazio, making an assessment that he "is fascist, not racist," and that it was only a Roman greeting of camaraderie.

Another of the most significant cases is that of George Weah. The former footballer of Real Madrid and AC Milan is currently the president of Liberia. Weah has been in charge of establishing a democratic government, with an emphasis on the fight against corruption, a national economic reform, and a more inclusive and accessible foreign policy for foreigners.

Romario, a Brazilian figure in the United States World Cup in 1994, has increased his formal political participation in recent years. In 2010 he was part of the Chamber of Deputies, in 2014 he was elected Senator, and in 2018 he was sent to be governor of Rio de Janeiro by the center political party, Podemos, but he was not elected. Romario, like Weah, and even Maradona have taken advantage of his status as footballers to carry out their political agendas and pronounce their disagreements with society and, also, with football.

 

LatinAmerian Post | Juan Pablo Heiberon

Translated from "Las políticas anti-imperialistas de Maradona"

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