Maradona makes 'gay' jibe at Pele in drugs feud
DIEGO Maradona stunned reporters at a press conference by claiming Pele lost his virginity to a man.
Maradona (48) lashed out after the Brazilian football legend branded him "a bad example" for youngsters in a recent interview.
Asked to respond to the accusation, the Argentine said: "What do you want me to say? He made his debut with a bloke." The journalists were stunned, with many asking themselves "Did he just say that?"
Pele recently accused Maradona of being a bad example for having taken drugs.
The Argentine, currently the national coach, responded at a press conference ahead of his country's match with Venezuela today.
It is not the first time the two players -- regarded by many as the best of all time -- have clashed publicly over Pele's sexuality. In 2000 the Brazilian blamed Maradona for spreading worldwide rumours of an affair with a coach.
In his autobiography Pele denied the story that he had confessed to a gay affair with a coach at his Brazilian club Santos.
Pele, who has three children from his first marriage and 12-year-old twins with his current wife. Assiria, claimed Maradona started the rumour out of jealousy. This week Pele also suggested Brazilian football stars Robinho and Ronaldo had taken drugs.
Pele (68) was talking about Maradona's illegal drug use and added: "It is unfair to talk about drugs in football just because of two cases, as happened with Ronaldo and Robinho, who had this problem."
Manchester City star Robinho has threatened legal action unless Pele withdraws the accusation.
- Tom Worden
