Argentine football legend Maradona, now the head coach of Mexican second-division side Dorados, triggered the controversy during a post-match press conference Sunday (Mar 31), following his club’s 3-2 win over Tampico Madero.

On Wednesday (Apr 3), The Mexican Football Federation has opened an investigation into whether Diego Maradona violated its ethics code when he praised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, BSS reported quoting an international news agency

“I want to dedicate this victory to Nicolas Maduro and all Venezuelans, who are suffering,” The controversial footballer said.

“These Yankees (the United States), the sheriffs of the world, think just because they have the world’s biggest bomb they can push us around. But no, not us.”

Maradona is close to Maduro, the embattled leftist leader who has presided over a spiraling political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

The United States has led more than 50 countries in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s acting president, calling Maduro’s May re-election illegitimate.

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.