Maradona OK, says doctor

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP):

Maradona's doctor said yesterday the Argentina coach was doing well and had not slipped back into using drugs and alcohol since his team was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-0 loss to Germany in the quarter-finals.

Dr Alfredo Cahe said in a radio interview that Maradona was mulling over his choices. Cahe was critical of rumours spreading that the 49-year-old coach, who recently said he has been clean for six years, was severely depressed and using drugs and alcohol again.

"He's a bit down, logically," Cahe said. "But he's not deeply depressed. Nothing like what they (the media) are saying here, that he has slipped back into his addictions. What a thing to say."

Maradona has been holed up at his home in suburban Buenos Aires following the loss to Germany on July 3. He has not said if he will continue as coach.

"As he (Maradona) says, it was a strange game," Cahe said. "I thought I was going to find him in much worse shape, but no. I see him being reflective. He's not resigned to the loss, but angry because the victory escaped him."