Fifa has imposed a two-month worldwide football ban on Diego Maradona as punishment for his crude verbal assault on journalists in the aftermath of Argentina's qualification for the World Cup last month.

Within seconds of securing Argentina’s decisive 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo, Maradona was on the pitch inviting members of the often critical media to perform a lewd act — an invitation he repeated in front of the cameras minutes later.

Maradona, who apologised for his comments at the hearing in Zurich, has also been fined £14,800 for his outburst and his ban will run until January 15, 2010. Fifa's disciplinary committee, chaired by Marcel Mathier, said it had taken into consideration the 49-year-old's "sincere remorse" but stressed that any breach of this decision or any repetition of a similar incident would mean that stronger sanctions would have to be imposed in the future.

“To those who did not believe in us — and, ladies, forgive me — they can suck it, and keep on sucking it,” he said. “I am black or white, I’ll never be grey in my life.”

“You lot take it up the a*** — if the ladies will pardon the expression,” he added. “This is for all Argentinians, except for the journalists. I would like to thank the team for giving me the privilege to lead Argentina to the World Cup. Thank you to the Argentinian people who had faith.

“This is for those who did not believe in the team and treated me like dirt — but we still qualified with honour. They will now have to accept this. I want to thank the players and fans — no one but them.”

Argentina are due to play an international friendly against the Czech Republic on December 16, although the match has yet to be confirmed. Maradona would miss this match should the game go ahead.

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football