"The famous fair play doesn't exist (here), let's make it effective once and for all," Maradona said.
"Because if each time Messi gets the ball they bring him down, what are we playing at?" he asked at the post-match news conference.
"After repeated fouls, take out the yellow card to the third (player) who hits Messi, and you'll see that defenders don't hit him any more.
"Why didn't the referee do that? It's in the regulations, man."
Argentina's coach also launched into a heartfelt defence of his players who have won their three matches in the group, including Tuesday's with a largely reserve side.
"Everything a lot of you said, you were wrong... You even showed a lack of respect for these players... (and) should apologise to these players because they give everything on the pitch, because they are 100 percent professional.
"We're doing our duty, we're defending the Argentine colours which we've always done.
"These same players were in the qualifiers. Anybody can make a mistake but I'd love it for those on the other side to say sorry."
