Diego Maradona refusing to apologise for Hand of God – claiming it’s ‘symbolic revenge’ for Falklands
CHEATING Diego Maradona still refuses to apologise for his Hand of God goal against England, saying it was “symbolic revenge” for the Falklands War.
The Argentina wizard blatantly handled the ball into the net past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during that infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final.
The incident was not seen by the referee or the linesman and despite furious protests from Bobby Robson’s side, the goal was given.
Four minutes later, he produced the greatest individual goal of all time, slaloming his way through the Three Lions defence before scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.
The match had been stoked by the 1982 war between the two nations, in which 649 Argentinians and 255 British troops died during three months of fighting.
Yet 32 years on in a new documentary called ‘Diego Maradona – Rebel, Hero, Hustler, God’ which charts his incredible football career, the 58-year-old remains defiant about his controversial actions.
Unapologetic Maradona said: “We, as Argentinians, didn’t know what the military was up to. They told us that we were winning the war. But in reality, England was winning 20-0. It was tough.
“The hype made it seem liked we were going to play out another war.
“I knew it was my hand. It wasn’t my plan but the action happened so fast that the linesman didn’t see me putting my hand in. The referee looked at me and he said: ‘Goal.’
“It was a nice feeling like some sort of symbolic revenge against the English.”
Shilton, 69, claimed last week he boycotted the premiere of the film saying he was “playing darts” instead.
Argentina went on to beat West Germany 3-2 in the final in Mexico and this cemented captain Maradona’s legendary status.
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On winning the World Cup, Maradona said: “I never dreamed of anything that’s happening to me now, I swear on my mum’s life.
“I always dreamt of playing on a first division pitch in front of lots of people and being able to buy a house for my parents. But these are things you don’t dream of.”
The film charts his seven-year spell with Napoli in which he won two Serie A titles, took copious amounts of cocaine, cosied up with the mafia and cheated on his wife with prostitutes.
DIEGO MARADONA In Cinemas now. Find the nearest cinema
