Bilardo want Grondona to leave (27 Sep 2007 18:15 GMT)
Former Argentina coach Carlos Bilardo launched an outspoken attack on the state of the game in his country and the leadership of its football association.
Bilardo, who led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986 and the 1990 final, said it was time for a change at the top of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), where Julio Grondona has been president since 1979.
"I feel shame when I see the state of Argentine football," Bilardo told La Nacion newspaper in an interview. "The security matter is a disgrace, the standard of refereeing is worrying... the clubs are in a mess and don't have enough money even to buy grass."
"On the day that Grondona leaves, a lot of problems will be solved in Argentine football... but if there isn't a change soon, Argentina football will fall apart. It's a disgrace. Compare our stadiums to the ones in Spain and you'll see what I am talking about."
Bilardo, 68, who has been working in television since his last coaching job with Estudiantes, said he had ditched his plan to run for the AFA presidency because it was a closed shop.
"I've given up on being AFA president, because the strongest 20 clubs support this leadership," he said. "Nowadays, trying to be president of the AFA is like banging your head against a wall, you have to fight everyone and I'm tired of that. If all the 2,800 clubs in this country had a vote, it wouldn't be a problem, I tell you that I'd win. But only 49 have the vote."
source : Reuters