Maradona in talks as football advisor to China

Rio de Janeiro March 3 (IANS) Argentine football great Diego Maradona could accept a position as a national football advisor in China according to the World Cup winner s lawyer Matias Morla.

Morla said his client is in talks with Chinese officials to help promote and develop the game in Asia s largest country reports Xinhua news agency.

The announcement comes less than three months after Maradona s compatriot Carlos Tevez became the world s highest paid footballer when he joined Shanghai Shenhua.

The same people who took Carlos Tevez to China are very interested in having Diego and we already gave the OK. The meetings are more than advanced Morla told Diario Popular on Thursday adding that the 56-year-old would need to quit his current job in Dubai.

Diego would be in charge of teaching children in the different schools it is a very important project and that without doubt could mark a before and after in a power like China he said.

Maradona is excited about that possibility but there are steps to follow. First we have to go to Dubai and raise the situation to see how the contract is terminated and then start closing China. But things are on track and I see them in a very good way he added.

Other high-profile players to join the Chinese Super League in recent times include Brazilians Hulk Ramires Oscar and Paulinho.

--IANS
gau/vt