By Paul Kennedy, Managing Editor
Soccer America Magazine
ROMARIO REVELATIONS
'100 percent unfaithful'
Certain Brazilian stars have a reputation for being womanizers. Romario, star of BrazilÆs 1994 World Cup championship team, goes so far as to admit heÆs ''100 percent unfaithful.''
He told the Sunday magazine Tudo de Bom that during USA 1994 he brought more than one woman to BrazilÆs training headquarters in Northern California.
The liaisons would never take place in his room.
''WeÆd meet sometimes in the parking lot,'' Romario said, ''other times in a hiding spot.''
Romario, 39, currently goes out with Isabella Bittencourt, 13 years his younger. Romario says she knows how he is. He adds, ''Since I started going out with her, I never promised IÆd be faithful.''
Romario, who still plays in the Brazilian championship for Vasco da Gama, has had six children by various women.
He admits his wandering has got him into trouble. ''There have been fights.''
But he says heÆs slowing down.
''I donÆt have as many women as I used to,'' he says. ''IÆm content to spend some evenings at home now.''
MARADONA REHABILITATION
TV show is smash hit
Following tummy-tuck surgery to help him lose weight, Argentine legend Diego appears on the road to a miraculous rehabilitation.
Maradona, who has suffered from cocaine addiction for many years, recently took on the job of director of soccer at Boca Juniors and launched a television show, a two-hour show called ''The Night of the 10,'' which he hosts every Monday.
The talk show was an instant hit.
The second episode, featuring NBA star Manu Ginobili, tennis player Guillermo Coria, conductor Susana Gimenez and Guatemalan singer Ricardo Arjona, was ArgentinaÆs highest-rated show with more than one in three households tuning in.
Boca officials arenÆt concerned that Maradona is neglecting his responsibilities for his TV commitments. ''I think he can do both jobs, more than anything because we have agreed that Diego will take it easy at first,'' said Boca president Mauricio Macri. ''He will take on more responsibilities in the near future but not immediately.''
STOITCHKOV INVESTIGATION
Bulgarian great in hot water
As his playing career wound down, Bulgarian great Hristo Stoitchkov expressed a desire to take up coaching.
The question always was, would his famous temper get in the way of his job?
Stoitchkov served as an assistant coach at D.C. United in 2003 during the final season of his playing career, then returned home to take on the job of coaching his national team.
To date, itÆs been an unhappy experience. A 3-0 loss to Sweden in Stockholm eliminated Bulgaria from contention for the 2006 World Cup, and Stoitchkov landed in hot water for remarks even the Bulgarian soccer federation termed ''inadequate.''
Stoitchkov accused UEFA president Lennart Johansson, a Swede, of influencing the outcome of the game.
Stoitchkov was ejected four minutes into the second half after protesting a red card to Blagoi Georgiev.
Stoitchkov also allegedly berated Johansson for leaving the match early, saying it was a proof Johansson was ''only interested in how to make more money.'' Johansson said he wanted to beat the crowd because his wife walks with crutches.
Stoitchkov, who is being investigated by FIFA for his remarks, is hardly a hit in Bulgaria. According a poll of the Sofia News Agency, more than half of Bulgarians say Stoitchkov is a bad coach and the main reason for BulgariaÆs poor showing World Cup qualifying.
(This article originally appeared in the September 26, 2005 issue of Soccer America Magazine.)