The former national skipper let fly with insults at some Argentine journalists in the news conference that followed the 1-0 win, prompting FIFA to launch an investigation that could lead to a fine and suspension .
"I apologised to the ladies, not to those who talk about football on television... It was a release but I don't regret it," Maradona told the state TV station Canal 7 on Wednesday.
"After we qualified and I said what I said, everyone's offended... I said it during child protections hours," he said of the outburst following what he called ill-intentioned criticism of his team selection and perceived lack of tactical knowledge.
"If we'd ended up out of the World Cup I'd have had to go and live in Haiti... The first man to be shot would have been Diego Armando Maradona."
"We got to the decisive matches (against Peru and Uruguay in October) with a lot of players from local (Argentine) teams who got us through," he said.
"I knew I'd have my revenge and so now that I'm in the World Cup I say to the (journalists) 'you were wrong guys'."
"Each player must show me and the coaching staff they can withstand a World Cup, which isn't easy. You have to withstand living together, injuries. We must build a good group who all help each other."
