Maradona refuses German bait

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona refused for once to accept a tempting bait last night and respond to the criticisms made of his players by Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger ahead of Saturday's quarter-final.

At the squad's training camp at the University of Pretoria, he declined to attend the scheduled media conference for two players, third-choice goalkeeper Diego Pozo and the uncapped midfielder Javier Pastore. Both deflected questions about the German accusations, which date back to the previous World Cup meeting between the two countries four years ago at the same stage, which ended in acrimony after Germany, the hosts, won on penalties.

Diego-watchers had only the training session to enjoy, in which he performed as referee with great gusto, looking as if he was desperate to join in but somehow exercising self-control; a quality for which he has rarely been renowned. It was a relaxed session suggesting players at ease with themselves and their coach, and delighted with their performance so far in scoring ten goals – four of them to Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain -and conceding only two.

The Independent: