Maradona was my only idol, says Felipe Contepomi

Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

By any measure, it has been a rollercoaster few weeks for Argentinian sport. With the nation mourning the death of their most revered sporting and cultural icon, Diego Maradona, the country’s rugby team claiming their first ever win over New Zealand, followed by the damaging off-field controversy of the past seven days.

Old social media posts of a racist nature by captain Pablo Matera and two other players resurfaced as the squad came in for some heavy criticism following a perceived unsatisfactory tribute to Maradona. Matera, Guido Petto, and Santiago Socino were banned by the UAR (Argentinian rugby federation) and Matera stripped of the captaincy, only for the decision to be reversed two days later.