Soccer: Argentina makes offer to keep Maradona

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The Argentine Football Association said it will offer Maradona a new four-year contract that would keep him in charge of the national team through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ernesto Cherquis Bialo, a spokesman for the association, said AFA President Julio Grondona would meet next week with Maradona to discuss the offer.

This is the strongest indication that Maradona is likely to continue as the coach. It comes two weeks after Argentina was knocked out of the World Cup in a humiliating 4-0 quarterfinals loss to Germany. Maradona has said little since then, keeping to himself at home in Buenos Aires.

"Fifth place is below what people here expect," Cherquis Bialo said. "But it's not embarrassing to an Argentine team."

— Staff and wire services