The shocking statements of Fernando Signoriniwho was the physical trainer of Diego Maradona, have shed light on the turbulent days leading up to the 1994 World Cup and the dark events surrounding Maradona’s situation with the historic ephedrine doping case. Signorini shared the details about the concern of the medical staff, led by Doctor Ugalde, regarding the number of pills that were administered to Maradona and the suggestion of subjecting the entire Argentine team to a control to clear up doubts before the competition. All in the documentary “The Daughter of God”, directed by Dalma Maradona and which premiered on HBO Max.
The tension intensified when Signorini’s proposal was rejected by Grondona, the then president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Although Signorini suggested a measure that could have prevented Maradona’s positive test, Grondona’s refusal raised questions about the transparency and integrity of the process.
“Eight days before the start of the World Cup, Doctor Ugalde, who was the team’s doctor, always came and said with the representative Marcos Franchi: ‘So many pills you give Diego… I’m scared’. So I tell him: ‘Listen, why don’t you tell Grondona to lower a FIFA order to do an anti-doping test on the entire team?’. I drink some mates and see that Grondona comes out. I go to Ugalde’s room again and tell him: ‘AND?’. ‘He said no’, me dice. ‘How come you said no? We can have an atomic bomb under the table!’ That stuck with me,” said Signorini,
Fernando Signorini.
The worst news hit after the match with Nigeria, when an alleged positive result in Maradona’s doping test was revealed. Signorini shared the shocking moment in which the news was confirmed, describing the crying of Daniel Cerrini, Diego’s personal trainer, who had received confirmation from Marcos Franchi, the representative.
“When what happens after the game with Nigeria happens, I’m in my room and 5 minutes later, they knock. I open the door and Daniel Cerrini (personal trainer) was crying. He tells me that Marcos Franchi had confirmed to him that doping “positive was from Diego. Not even a minute passed and we heard a heartbreaking scream,” said the physical trainer.
And he added: “When the doping countertest takes place, Roberto Peidró, one of Argentina’s chief doctors, goes and sees that the tubes with the sample said the substance that had to be looked for. He immediately told the guys: ‘This violates protocol. The counter-test has no value and therefore, Diego is in the World Cup.’“.
Signorini with Maradona and Messi at the World Cup in South Africa. (REUTER)
Signorini’s account of the countertest further reinforces doubts about the validity of the process, since it is alleged that the sample was directed, with the specific substance already indicated on the tubes. The intervention of Roberto Peidró, Argentine medical chief, questioning the violation of the protocol, seems to have fallen on deaf ears, since Grondona supposedly decided to withdraw Maradona from the World Cup.
“When you go to look for a sample, you cannot know what you are going to look for. It was directed. The others got angry and even insulted him. Peidró comes out, meets Grondona and tells him: ‘Don Julio is over. Diego is inside because the protocol…’ And tells: ‘No, don’t talk to anyone about this. I already took it out of the World Cup’. ‘How did he take him out of the World Cup?’ ‘Don’t talk about this,’ and he cut her off,” Signorini revealed.
The story takes an even darker turn when Grondona, instead of facing consequences, is promoted to Vice President of FIFA and appointed as president of the Finance commission after the World Cup.
Maradona and Signorini at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (Carlos Sarraf)
“When the World Cup ended, Mr. Julio Humberto Grondona was appointed Vice President of FIFA and President of the Finance Commission to manage a purse of hundreds of millions of dollars without knowing how to speak English. Do you remember the figurine game, I will Do I give this one in exchange for the other one? Diego was delivered”, concluded Signorini in front of Dalma Maradona.
2023-11-14 15:27:51
#Diego #Grondona
