Dubai: Angry Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona has said a UAE FA sanction banning his team from playing at Zabeel Stadium for the next two scheduled home matches due to poor fan behaviour is unfair.
Maradona's side will be forced to play on neutral territory for the next two ‘home' encounters because of fans lighting flares against derby rivals Al Nasr in their 2-2 Etisalat Pro League draw on December 23.
Al Wasl will now play Dubai at Al Shabab Al Arabi Club tomorrow and the same opponents again in the Etisalat Cup at Al Nasr Stadium on January 27. The ban is split between league and cup in an attempt to make it a lighter punishment, according to sources.
Maradona said: "The decision to move the home matches is quite unfair. There was no need to penalise our fans like that. The decision has been made now and we have to accept it. But it depends on which way you look at it. You can see flares and paper rolls as a hazard if you want, but others will see it as a celebration which adds light to the game.
"I feel targeted, yes. No doubt about it there are some people here trying to put obstacles in our way to try and prevent us from moving forward.
"Both decisions were unfair, whether you are penalised by monetary fines or ordered to play away from home. It's unfair on the players and the coaching staff.
"Playing at home makes a big difference — it's six points that are very important so we'll wait and see what happens. We could have always talked to our fans and tried to change things, but to be penalised is unfair. I don't see it happening to other teams like Al Jazira and Al Ahli. In fact since I got here the only club that has incurred penalties is Al Wasl. It's always us."
Earlier the FA fined Maradona for calling Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu "quite rude", after Olaroiu criticised Maradona's private life in a heated post-match conference last month.
