BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Football Association denies it is negotiating with Argentine great Diego Maradona to take over as a coach of the national team. Deputy IFA head Abdul-Khaliq Masoud told The Associated Press the association isn't in talks with Maradona “and doesn't have any intention to hire him.” Masoud's comments on Friday came a day after an Argentine football official was quoted saying Maradona was a leading candidate to take over as Iraq coach. The Buenos Aires daily La Nacion reported that Maradona was close to signing a deal with Iraq. Former Brazil great Zico resigned as Iraq coach last month over what he said was the Iraqi association's failure to live up to its commitments. Zico had been coach since August 2011. “We have received the offer. We contacted Maradona and he gave us his approval. We will meet the executive committee of the Iraqi football federation on Friday to discuss financial terms,” said Hernan Toffoni, Maradona's agent from from the World Eleven agency. Toffoni told reporters in Buenos Aires that a decision would be taken “in a matter of hours” and said that he was optimistic of an outcome because of the enthusiasm shown by the both Iraqis and Maradona himself. A potential stumbling block, though, is whether Maradona can secure the approval of the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, where is an honorary ambassador of sports in Dubai, after being sacked in July as manager of Al-Wasl. Iraq, currently 92nd in FIFA's latest world rankings published this week, is still in the running to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and is third in Group B of the Asia Zone final qualifiers with five points from five games. It is trailing second-placed Australia only on goal difference. The top two teams qualify directly for the Finals while the third-place team goes into a play-off system. Another possibility for Maradona is that he could join the team as a consultant in the Gulf Cup, which takes place in Bahrain and Kuwait on Jan. 5-18. Emirati firm completes Leeds takeover Dubai-based investment company GFH Capital has completed its protracted takeover of English sleeping giant Leeds United, it announced Friday. Company directors David Haigh and Salem Patel were presented to the media and said their number one aim was to see the club promoted from the second-tier Championship to the money-spinning Premier League. Leeds last played in the top flight in the 2003-04 campaign and fell as low as the third-tier League One before bouncing back to their current status as Championship promotion hopefuls. “What we want to do is create a successful but sustainable club and I think every fan will be with us,” said Patel. Three-time English champion, Leeds reached the Champions League semifinals in 2001 before the consequences of dire financial mismanagement sent it tumbling down the divisions. GFH Capital, a subsidiary of Bahraini investment bank Gulf Finance House, is reported to have paid £52 million ($84 million, 64 million euros) to acquire the club. — Agencies
