Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme quit the Argentine national side for the second time in three years on Tuesday and blamed coach Diego Maradona for his decision. “The national team is over for me,” the former Barcelona and Villarreal player, now with Boca Juniors, told the Canal 13 television station in an interview. “I'm going to watch the World Cup on the television.” “We don't think the same way. We don't share the same codes of ethics. While he is the coach of the national team, we can't work together.” Maradona told the same television station: “I'm very sad that Riquelme does not want to play in my team but I'm not going to cry over spilt milk.” It was the second major controversy since Maradona's surprise appointment in October. Less than two weeks after he took over, Maradona reportedly threatened to quit after the Argentine association refused to allow him to name Oscar Ruggeri as his assistant. The enigmatic Riquelme, 30, previously retired after the 2006 World Cup. He backtracked less than a year later and led his side to the final of the Copa America with some inspired performances. Riquelme, who is seen as a classic South American playmaker, has split opinions throughout his career. Many admire his elegant, unhurried style, a rarity in the fast and physical modern game, and his ability to prise open defences with slide-rule passes. But his critics say the whole team has to be built around him and when he underperforms he drags the side down. He also has a reputation for underperforming on the big occasion. Riquelme, who returned to Boca Juniors for a third stint in November 2007 after falling out with the coaching staff at Villarreal, said he was angry at being left out of the squad for last month's friendly in France and not being told first hand. He was also upset with comments Maradona made about him in a television interview last week. FA Cup semis The English Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that the FA Cup semifinal between Manchester United and Everton will be played at Wembley on Sunday April 18 at 1600GMT. Chelsea will face either Arsenal or Hull in the other semifinal on Saturday April 18 (1715GMT kick-off). The Gunners host Hull in their delayed quarter-final clash on March 17. United has already won at Wembley this season in the League Cup final against Tottenham, while Everton's last appearance at the English national stadium came back in 1995 when they beat United 1-0 to win the FA Cup final.
