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FIFA 'regret' absence of Maradona
 Draw absentee Maradona signs autographs on Tuesday in Colombia LEIPZIG, Germany -- Diego Maradona, who pointed Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico in 1986, has failed to respond to FIFA's invitation to participate in Friday's draw for the 2006 finals. "The invitation was made through the Argentina FA," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in Leipzig. "We can't do more than that. If he doesn't want to come, I personally regret it." And Argentina's Jose Pekerman will be the only national coach among the qualifiers missing, due to an injury and a family bereavement, FIFA said. Coaches from the other 31 teams taking part have confirmed their attendance in Leipzig, FIFA added. "I've been told that Pekerman has an injury to his hand, and we also understand there has been a death (in the family)," FIFA director of communications Markus Siegler said. Among the people confirmed as taking part in the draw are Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann, team captain Michael Ballack and organizing committee president Franz Beckenbauer. Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko will appeal for support for the FIFA-backed charity SOS Children's Villages, which provides 800 orphans with new homes in six villages in Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Vietnam and Ukraine. Pele and Johan Cruyff will also be there, but on Tuesday Maradona was in Medellin, Colombia, at the invitation of soccer player Mauricio Serna. The World Cup finals open on June 9 in Munich, with the final in Berlin on July 9. 
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