English fans care a damn about Maradona’s apology for ‘Hand of God’ goal
Argentinian great Diego Maradona has apologised to English fans for his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal during the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals. In an interview to the The Sun newspaper, the football legend was quoted as saying:
If I could apologise and go back and change history I would.
But many doubt the need for such an apology after a gap of 22 years. The English fans would never forget Maradona’s public hatred of the fans of the ‘Three Lions’ and how he brought in professional hooligans from Argentina to Mexico in his own chartered flight to violently subdue the noisy fans of England. Maybe the diminutive magician from the back streets of Buenos Aires finally realises that his talent has not been truly recognised by a sport-loving country like England which takes nationalistic pride very seriously.
Apart from the Italia 90 squad, England had probably the best means to shine at the World Cup four years earlier, which came to a premature end due to Maradona’s antics and heroics. The controversy that still surrounds the all important Argentinian first goal which came at a delicate time for England has largely overshadowed Maradona’s famous second goal in which he dribbled past five English players before shooting past Peter Shilton in a moment of sheer greatness. But unfortunately, the goal has not received the same recognition in England that it got around the world and put Maradona right up at the pinnacle of world football.
So why a sudden change of heart for a man who in the same interview with The Sun had not stopped in criticising one of England’s popular sons David Beckham, whom he termed just a ‘good player, nothing more…..’? Maybe he is true but the fact is the same Mr. Beckham was instrumental in knocking Argentina out of the 2002 world cup and has tremendous worldwide recognition both on and off the field. It seems the former Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli stalwart has realised finally the need to be a good boy off the field amidst all the demands of international football.
A lot of debate still takes place regarding the respective greatness of Maradona and Pele. It’s a close call yet the latter’s charity work and his devotion to the game of football post-retirement have put the Brazilian maestro yards ahead of his South American adversary both as a player and a human being. Maradona’s indulgence of cocaine has never helped his cause and to justify his greatness to the world, he has occasionally launched scathing attacks towards Pele and other contemporary players who are regarded greats even with inferior skills compared to the Argentinian sorcerer.
Coming back to his apology towards the English fans, Maradona might make some friends there and if he is lucky enough some unfortunate clubs would come and knock at his door for his untested coaching services. Yet, the bad blood created after the 86 quarter-final clash, which was taking place in the shadow of the bloody Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina would not be healed easily despite the unexpected apology from the man himself who regarded that encounter at that very moment as a revenge against British victory in the Falklands.
English fans, except a few, would never give a damn about what Maradona has to say about his ‘Hand of God’ incident twenty-two years ago on a balmy afternoon in Mexico City.
Topics: Argentina, Diego Maradona, England, General Football News
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I think Gary Lineker said it best – “Personally, I blame the referee and the linesman, not you.”
February 1st, 2008 @ 15:29Sunit:
He actually apologized a few years ago.
Pele’s life off of the pitch has not exactly been a bed of roses. Obviously, global public perception about the two men is quite different.
A few days ago, Maradona was at the Chelsea training grounds. From the video that I saw, he was well-received. Joe Cole and several others posed for pictures with him.
I don’t know if you had a chance to read our Soccerlens interview with Andres Cantor. He knows Maradona personally, and had a very candid commentary about him.
A few years ago, I recall something interesting from a young Argentine, Nicolas Burdisso of Inter Milan. His daughter had a rare and serious illness. Despite Maradona’s own health problems at the time, Burdisso said, “Diego was the first to call to see if we needed anything.”
February 1st, 2008 @ 21:50Diego was one of the best ever.
February 2nd, 2008 @ 01:43Steve:
February 2nd, 2008 @ 04:31I’m a fan of yours reading your personal blog. Thanks for your kind and useful comment on this particular article. But I stand by my point about Diego Maradona’s apology. As far as I’m concerned what is the use of apologising for a hot and controversial issue that could have been handled judiciously at that very moment immediately after the match or later on? Although I was still very young at that time but reading about the history of the 86 World Cup, I don’t think Maradona rightly acted as a footballing statesman and superstar.
Sunit, your article echoes the same sentiments that are found in every article about the 86 WC written by an englishman. How cruel it was of Maradona to rob England of their best chance to win a WC after ’66. Get a life bob. You may not think of Maradona as a great player, but many do. Pele may indulge in many off field media-friendly activities unlike Maradona (who’s looking for thenext snot) but this is about the footballer. Pele had the best team in every WC to support him, unlike Maradona, who was THE TEAM. England may have beaten Argentina in the Falklands war, but there was only one victor on the football field in 86. And in closing, England need not accept Maradona’s heroics of 86 openly, their criticisms and blind justifications of their team of 86 indirectly indicates it. And there was a lot of that in your article. Cheers……….
February 2nd, 2008 @ 10:16“Arsenal could have won the World Cup with Maradona”
February 2nd, 2008 @ 10:18-said by SIR Bobby Robson in 1986.
It belittles my favourite team but still it is appropriate here……………..