BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Carlos Bilardo, accused by Diego Maradona of betrayal and working behind the scenes to have him dismissed as Argentina's coach, says the former playing great was to blame for his own downfall.
Bilardo, who coached the 1986 World Cup winning team led by Maradona — and the 1990 team that finished second — said Thursday that until now he has kept him mouth shut for the good of Argentina's national team.
Maradona accused Bilardo, who is the Argentine national team director, of "betrayal" and Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona of "lying" in a 10-minute speech Wednesday.
The outburst followed the AFA's decision Tuesday not to renew his contract.
