DIEGO MARADONA claimed last night he had been betrayed after losing his job as Argentina coach.

The Argentine FA declined to renew his contract in the wake of the 4-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Germany.

AFA president Julion Grondona invited him to continue but without seven of his assistants - and Maradona said he could not agree to that.

Maradona, 49, speaking at a restaurant in Buenos Aires, accused national team director Carlos Bilardo - coach of the 1986 World Cup winners - of betraying him.

He rapped: "They called me to put out a fire and we put it out.

"But Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me.

"While we were still in mourning after losing to Germany, Bilardo worked in the shadows to throw me out. I`ve given everything, everything."
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