World Cup linesman who failed to flag Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal died ‘tormented by his error’
Bogdan Dochev's widow says he was so distraught over the error, which knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup, that he wrote a message on the back of a photo of Maradona
THE World Cup linesman who failed to flag Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal against England died tormented by his error, his widow says.
Bogdan Dochev even scrawled on the back of a photo of the Argentine star: “Maradona is my gravedigger.”
Bulgarian Bogdan, who died a year ago aged 80, wrote it in anguish weeks after Maradona used his hand to knock the ball past England’s Peter Shilton.
Bogdan’s failure to flag the clear handball meant England were knocked out of Mexico ’86 by Argentina, losing 2-1.
He later admitted spotting the handball — which Maradona slyly described as “the hand of God.”
But Bogdan’s widow Emily claims match referee Ali Bin Nasser ordered her husband not to make any major decisions.
She added: “The referee said ‘You don’t have to do any work — it will be all my calls’.
“I’ll never forgive that referee and I’ll never forgive Diego Maradona.
“After the World Cup our life was ruined. Bogdan withdrew into himself and friends never said hello to me again. It wasn’t a Hand of God for us, it was a kick in the teeth.”
-
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk