Coming to Maradona's defence
Dante - or it may have been Silvio Dante from the Sopranos - is supposed to have said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality.
With that in mind, I felt the need to comment on the feedback from last week's blog, which was about Diego Maradona taking over as coach of Argentina.
Many posts from English readers attacked Maradona as a cheat, which I think is an injustice. I don't recall a player being cheated against as much as Maradona.
When his career began in the mid-70s it is calculated that players were running an average of around 5,000 metres per game. Twenty years later this figure had doubled. This is effectively the span of Diego's playing days. He was active at a time of intense physical development - but played almost his entire career before the mid-90s clampdown on the sliding tackle.
Maradona played the game without the protection from referees that today's stars take for granted. Some of the tackles that were aimed against him would nowadays be worth not only a red card, but a jail sentence as well. Virtually every time he took the field he was on the end of intimidation and violence, as opponents sought to reduce his effectiveness by any means possible.
That 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England is no exception. The film of the tournament shows Terry Fenwick's elbow being pushed into Maradona's face.
It is hardly surprising that those who are on the end of constant cheating develop a cynical side. Older Brazilian referees recall that Pele was a master of conning them into giving free kicks, linking arms with a defender and bringing both of them down while making it appear that he had suffered the foul.
Certainly I think that if I spent years being kicked, jostled and elbowed I might feel within my rights to punch one into the back of the net in the heat of the moment.
It is true that different cultures approach these things in different ways. Bobby Charlton tells the story of how at a Fifa meeting of former players he called for a crackdown on diving.
Someone he calls "an old South American international" apparently replied; "Don't you think, as a professional, that if we can get away with creating an advantage for our side, we really should be applauded?"
I believe there is more tolerance of this type of behaviour in South America, where showing the cunning necessary to get away with something is widely praised. In Brazil it is often said that beating a big rival with an illegal goal adds extra pleasure to the victory.
But before we English try to claim the moral high ground we should forget any notions of perfection.
In his autobiography Martin Peters writes about the game at home to Poland in 1973, which England had to win to qualify for the following year's World Cup. Peters was a magnificent player, and though I've never met him personally, has always come across as an upstanding man.
But 35 years ago, with England a goal down and time running out, he confesses that: "It was looking desperate, and in such circumstances desperate measures are sometimes required." He was tackled inside the area by Poland's left back, "He barely touched me but I went flying. I dived. It wasn't a penalty, but the referee didn't see it that way."
The resulting goal was not enough to qualify England for the World Cup. But Peters' frank admission should be enough to destroy any illusions about England having some natural monopoly on the concept of fair play.
It is unjust, then, to throw the label of cheat at Maradona - just as it is unwise to view him as a god. He is a human being, with remarkable talent, but also with flaws. Indeed, just as with Pele, it is probably the case that his flaws were part of his drive towards greatness.
On the field Maradona gave so much pleasure to so many that he deserves to enjoy a contented and fruitful second half of his life. That's why, although he wouldn't have been my candidate, he should be congratulated on becoming Argentina's new coach - for two reasons.
Firstly because he has recovered sufficiently from his problems to be able to take on the position.
Secondly because he is prepared to put himself on the line. There are many who think that a great idol should never put his prestige at risk. I disagree. That's for museum pieces. Maybe some of the best places in heaven are reserved for those brave enough to keep seeking a new challenge.
Comments on this week's piece in the space below. Other questions on South American football to vickerycolumn@hotmail.com, and I'll pick out a couple for next week.
From last week's postbag;
A question about the Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabanas. I've been looking at his career stats and they are quite impressive, especially his Copa Libertadores record. Why is he not playing in Europe? I was thinking possibly because of his size, he's only 5 8'' I believe. What are your thoughts?
Peter Udstuen
I think he could cope comfortably with the physical aspect of European football. He's short but very stocky, hard to knock off the ball, turns well to either side, is an excellent finisher. More than size, I wonder if age might be against him now. He's 28 - he was something of a late developer, originally a midfielder in Paraguay before being converted into a striker in Chile and Mexico. I think he's earning well in Mexico with America.
What are your thoughts on Rodrigo Palacio's career? His scoring record is outstanding, even better than Stephen Dobbie's in the Scottish first division! Why do you think he hasn't made the move across the pond?
Michael Gunn
Wiry Boca Juniors striker, terrific at using the flanks. Decision time can't be put off much more now. He's 26, Boca have youngsters such as Noir and Mouche who can fill the role, so there may well be pressure for him to go. Two doubts - one is whether his heart is really in a move.
He comes across as a shy figure who if left to his own devices might never leave Boca. The other is the shock he got when coming off the bench in Argentina's opening 2006 World Cup match against Ivory Coast - big, strong opponents against whom he made little impression and wasn't used again in the tournament. I think the step up from the domestic Argentine game might worry him.
A glorious history, a rich culture, a production line of exciting players... South American football is endlessly fascinating. I cover the continent from my base in Rio.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~21~RS~)
CommentsSign in
You need to sign in to contribute to this page. If you're new to BBC Blogs, creating your membership is quick and easy.
Wow, Tim, I never really looked at it in that context before. We all know how Maradona is portrayed over here but it's refreshing to see a different perspective on matters.
I agree, to an extent, that Maradona's misdeeds were a necessary evil. But, above all, it revealed the predicament that he found himself in. Whenever confronted with an aggressive opponent, Diego had four possible solutions:
1) In an ideal world, he would ride the tackles, overcoming his aggressive opponents en route to achieving his objective i.e. a goal/assist. But this is not an ideal world.
2) He could have complained, be it to the ref, the coaches or the authorities. But this being an era where complaining over harsh treatment was frowned upon/laughed at, I don't think it would appeal to Diego.
3) He could resort to diving/cheating/handling the ball etc... in order to redress the balance (which he did).
4) Or he could got on with things regardless, taking the rough with the smooth.
Complain about this comment
Good Article again Tim, always well worth a read & even better in Overtime paid territory?! hahaha
i do agree with the fact that to many people do giv Maradonna grief over it, for me it still doesnt outweigh the fact that in the context and law of the game ots wrong, i dont think hed of gotten half of the stick he has done had it been a dive from a tackle as this is slightly more acceptable as everybody at some time or another in their life takes a dive when the tackle hasnt actually caught them, cause then have the thought in the back of their mind that it is going to catch them so they are already thinking of going down under the challenge?!
but i totally and whole heartedly agree that he was was completely kicked to death in games, verging on physical assult, just because of his skill and ability on the ball, so that may push any man to want to cheat to gain an advantage?!
anbody remember the match that Argentina played against Italy?????
when the Italian defender Gentile kicked seven shades of bottom excrement out of Maradonna????
the gameplan his manager gave to him was to be no more than 2yards from Maradonna at any time and do what ever neccesary to sop him, injure him if needs be?!
but i do agree Tim that diving and cheating is seen as part of the game in South America and more acceptable, it is seen as cunning and clever if you can get away with it and do a number on your opponents at the same time, which makes it all the sweeter for them.
Complain about this comment
Great blog Tim.
I know you receive a lot of praise for this blog, which I understand, but I have often wondered if that is down to the fact you do not comment on issues specifically about English teams.
Phil McNulty's blogs seem to be praised by one set of supporters and scourned upon by supporters from another team, and the fact that he may have said something about one's team that they don't agree with will often be accompanied by (petty) comments about his skills as a journalist.
I wonder if this blog about Maradonna will get underneath England supporters skins and this blog may not be as popular as others in the past!!!
Hopefully not though! I thought it was a very good article, and it's always worth remembering that cultural differences have a massive impact on people's perceptions.
Complain about this comment
Outstanding. This is perhaps the best blog ever published on BBC Sport. England fans would do well to see Fenwick's utterly disgraceful elbow on Maradona, which would receive a lengthy ban these days. By a vast margin, Maradona was more sinned against than sinner.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Although I do disagree with you about the Maradona bit (you are blatantly clutching at straws at his defence) but top work nonetheless.
Keep it up.
Complain about this comment
Think I agree with you. A gentleman of the game he was not, but few players are, and Maradona never claimed to be one of them. The English are as susceptible to dishonest urges as anyone else -remember Michael Owen's dive against Argentina in the 1998 world cup second round? Had England gone through, we'd be talking to this day about the "celestial tripwire".
Complain about this comment
Wonderful article yet again Mr. Vickery. I fully agree with you on the somewhat misguided opinions of Maradona from what seems to be most English football fans. The man almost miraculously managed to stay relatively inury free amidst some horrifying challeges when compared to today's game, while at the same time doing so much damage to his opponents (mainly on the scoreboard!).
As Argentina are soon to visit us here in Glasgow, I was wondering - although officially Sergio Batista will be manager - do you think El Diego will be choosing the team behind the scenes?
Complain about this comment
Thank you Tim for continuing to enrich your readers' knowledge of Latin American football and culture. You work miracles in opening people's eyes to the subtleties of perspective.
This reminded me of Chris Taylor's enjoyable book The Beautiful Game, where he tells about Pele being hacked to the point that he unleashed a flying headbutt on one of his aggressors.
Keep it up: great stuff!
Complain about this comment
Brilliant article - one mistake though. Just because Maradona was cheated against this does not mean he wasn't a cheat - it just means his cheating was (arguably) more justifiable.
This is a question for debate and I am of the opinion that it was justifiable given the virtual assaults he was subject to throughout his career as you highlighted.
Complain about this comment
It is a real shame that the 'Hand of God' has become the talking point about that match. The second goal was amazing play and showed the real Maradona.
Watch video highlights and you will clearly see the opposition defenders attempting to take him out. However, Maradona had the skill to see these challenges coming and still managed to glide past the defenders with the ball stuck to his feet. A magician....
In my opinion, the best player ever.....
The English always find a scapegoat for their underachievers....
You put your left hand in,
You put your left hand out,
In, out and you shake it all about,
You do the hokey cokey and you score a goal,
That's what it's all about,
Oh, Diego Maradona,
Oh, Diego Maradona,
Oh, Diego Maradona,
He put the English OUT, OUT, OUT!
Complain about this comment
Although I don't agree with the action of delibrately handling the ball, the fact remains that Maradona was a player to be admired. As Tim pointed out, he played in an era when protection for skillful players was considered a joke.
The key point you make about England taking the higher moral ground is an interesting one. In theory I agree with taking the higher moral ground however it is impossible to implement in practise. Money in the game has put this arguement to bed and money & morals never mix well.
The game is in need of video technology for controversial goal decisions. Only yesterday I watched Derby get robbed by 2 referee decisions not to award a goal. It would have taken all of 30 seconds for a 4th offical to confirm that both attempts were valid goals.
Complain about this comment
I often have to laugh at the hypocrisy of those who label Maradona a cheat. Very often anglo-saxon fans will applaud a heavy challenge by a midfield enforcer or a centre-half, when the object of that challenege is to intimidate/hurt an opposing player, often with a degree of ambivalence as to whether or not the ball is even capable of being won. I rarely see a centre half admit to a foul when he has flown into a tackle like this, often blatantly lying that he has taken the ball. I fail to see the difference between what Diego did in 86, or diving, and the physical intimidation I have just mentioned.
Football is a game, you are in it to win and, if possible, to embarass your opponents with your skill and cunning. If the game is won by bending the rules a bit, and you feel aggrieved, blame the referee. The opposing player, remember, owes you nothing.
Complain about this comment
Excellant Article Tim. I eagerly await your article's every week or so.
I totally understand why he did what he did (I would have done the same if it meant my country would qualify for the Semi-Finals of the World Cup), but it was still cheating. Nothing riles me more than to see diving. I believe the premiership is becoming more like this but is still not as bad as Spain or France.
Can't wait to see Maradona in charge for his first game which is incidently against Scotland. Hampden here I come!
Complain about this comment
One further point: you really have to admire the skill of the handball, too; I'm still almost tempted to defend its legality... You can't blame Maradona for exploiting the fact that Shilton couldn't jump.
Complain about this comment
I don't care how you dress it up, he cheated in the game against England and never had the grace to admit it.
His coaching of Argentina will be his comeuppance. It will be a disaster and yet another stain on his reputation, such as it is now.
Talent isn't enough to be a true hero.
Complain about this comment
Extremely well written blog... Can't disagree with anything you said. And let's face it, the biggest issue here is that it happened against England.
If Maradona was to score this goal against another country, lets say a continental rival of England. Then went on to call it the hand of god, it probably would have been celebrated by a lot of the same who have labeled him a cheat. Thats football fans for you.
Complain about this comment
I love your articles and I agree, diving is always seen as cheating but hard fouls seem to go unnoticed, I also remember you (I think) saying that while diving is a way of conning the ref and is seen as unacceptable but conning the ref into giving a throwing or corner which could potentially lead to a goal seems to go under the radar.
Maradona was a great player, hopefully he'll make a great manager too, I have no bitter feelings towards Maradona, it would be hypocritical to do so, doesn't mean it didn't hurt though.
Complain about this comment
Goal of the century:
what everybody seems to forget is that it was an own goal.
If I remember correctly Terry Butcher slides in to put the ball past Shilton before Maradonut can pull the trigger.
Own goal of the century more like.
Complain about this comment
@16
I think the first part of your comment is well addressed in the blog. How about the elbow by that Terry Fendwick. The funny thing is everybody talk about the "moment of cheat" from Maradona but do not comment on that elbow. That was a straight red. I remember that commentator, an english one that too, yelling about the elbow.
As far as grace is concerned, sure he didnt admit it that time. But, he paid a heavy price for his arrogance as his later life would suggest.
Overall, you sound bitter. Get over that goal. Afterall, he showed with the second goal what he can do.
Complain about this comment
Hmm, so because opponents fouled him, that makes it ok to punch the ball into the back of the net, celebrate like it was a legitimate goal, and then afterwards claim it "was the head of Maradona"?
I don't begrudge Argentina the win because they were the better team on the day, Maradona's second goal is arguably the greatest ever scored, and but for 15 mins when John Barnes came on England weren't even in Argentina's class. But I fail to see why the fouls Maradona suffered in other matches legitimise one of the most notorious examples of cheating in sports history. I suppose it also makes the fact he was kicked out of the '94 world cup for using ephedrine ok.
The BBC - where morals go to die. So glad I have to pay a licensee fee to help fund it.
Complain about this comment
Well said Tim, if Diego had punched the ball into the net of any other team on the planet we would not have heard so very much about it....but how dare he do it to the great and the good of team England.
When in Naples, his cunningness was applauded as is the way with Latin nations, cheating is not how it is always perceived.
His record for Barca was great considering he was assulted in every game he played before Goikoetxea was true to his word and broke Maradona's ankle.
For me he was and still is the best player I have seen, his close control, ballskills, range of passing and finishing was second to none.
Complain about this comment
Brilliant blog.
Exactly right, there is nothing more sickening than British football fans moralising about players because of our apparently ingrained sense of fair play.
Quite frankly it is rubbish we are as guilty as the next nation and we can no longer hide behind the 86 world cup as a reason not to accept Maradona as the true great he is/was.
Complain about this comment
"I don't care how you dress it up, he cheated in the game against England and never had the grace to admit it."
He did, in 2004.
He called it revenge for the Falklands.
Which I'm sure will endear him even more.
Complain about this comment
You cant defend wrong with wrong. 2 Wrongs dont make a right. Maradonna is a cheat and a disgrace to football for what he done. As much as I respect your blog Tim, but to go out and defend a cheat is apalling. He cheated to help win a game and that's the only way to look at it. A gentleman footballer would take the dirty tackles and abuse on the chin (ie someone like Heskey) and not try find a way to go "evens" with the opposition.
Complain about this comment
To #19
It wasn't an own goal - Butcher has even said that he would love to claim it as an own goal to take it away from Maradona but unfortunately he can't because he didn't touch it - it was Maradona who managed to get a nick on it to put it past Shilton.
And Vickers has no obligation to write a moral article - it's called a blog - and gives his opinion, moral or immoral.
Complain about this comment
Too right hendero... special pleading or what? It illuminates the triumph of moral relativism in society today.
Complain about this comment
How ridiculous that the Mail brigade are now attempting to use this blog as a stick with which to beat the BBC.
Complain about this comment
Really refreshing perspective Tim, I hope this opens a few eyes here in England. Yes Maradona cheated but so do players - many of them English - every week and there is no difference. Cheating/rule breaking is not to be admired or encouraged but for one incident to be so prominent so long after it occurred is laughable when one thinks of all the examples of cheating there have been since then. However I fear some England fans will never drop this hypocritical grudge.
Complain about this comment
haha - love it OP!
it's so true - we need to take a look at our own game before so vehemently criticising others - why is it when Gerrard or Owen goes down all too easily in the area it barely gets a mention but when it's Drogba or C Ron, it's another foreigner bringing the game into disrepute. The fact is everyone's at it, English or not.
Complain about this comment
#25
Who is defending wrong with wrong.
What Tim is saying is that if you get the wrong end of the stick you will try to give it back in the same way. If you want to call it wrong dont forget to call everything wrong. And in this case it is the elbow of that English defender.
Why are you not commenting on it.
The rest of your rant is typical.
And he did take it on the chin and moved on. Else he too would have let loose an elbow back on that defender.
And talking about Maradona, dont forget
that tackle by the Butcher of Bilbao. That was one of the craziest tackle a footballer can suffer.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Hey Tim,
Great article, as always.
I totally agree with everything you said. The thing that shocks me is that I never knew there was another Englishman out there who thought the same! Although maybe you're not English...
The only reservation I have about El Diego becoming boss of Argentina is the problem of top players making the crossover to management. SAF, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho never set the world alight as players, Keegan and Hoddle didn't as managers. Does Maradona have the same gift as Ferguson?
Complain about this comment
You are really missing the main point of the '86 handball. It wasn't so much the fact that he instinctively stuck out an arm and tapped the ball past a flailing and useless Peter Shilton.
It was the fact that having done it, he looked around, realised he'd got away with it, and ran off celebrating.
That is the mark of a real cheat.
Complain about this comment
You do what you have to do for your club/country.
You see the problem with us English is we are so hypocritical we are blinded by it. If our club or country did it then people wouldn't have any problems deep down although they probably might to give a false appeal. But when another club/country commits acts deemed as cheating then they are outraged etc...
Complain about this comment
It is comical reading some of the replies to what is a fantastic blog; all those that still brandish him a 'cheat' - would those people say the same about Gerrard, I wonder? He has, on many occasions, gone to ground, both in and out of the box, with the express intention of conning the ref into giving a free-kick, or penalty.
It seems there is a sense that England as a football team can only ever be sinned against - while ignoring any incidents played to our own advantage. (An epidemic not helped by pundits following the same line).
A fantastic blog, Tim, it's interesting that many feel that goal is the sole cause of failure in that competition, but the masterful second from Diego, and the elbow are consigned to mere side-notes.
Complain about this comment
great blog tim.
agree with everyone you said but i didnt need another blog for that lol
anyway
#1
you imply that maradona cheated all the time, which we all know is simply not true
#25
where to start?
the treatment todays players (Heskey) get is nowere near the kind of tackles maradona and other skillful players of that era had to put up with
he cheated to win a game?
no he 'cheated' to score 1 goal, no better or worse that what goes on in EVERY game of football. It doesnt make it right but its part of the game and always has been
Maradona, although flawed was a brilliant footballer and the best of his generation and quite possibly the best to ever play the game. He played because of his love of the game, look at the players who dive every week in the premiership and are on thousands a week, give me your maradona's anytime
Complain about this comment
Hmmm, I don't recall ever seeing Steven Gerrard leaping up and punching the ball into the net. Not for club or country. There is a difference between that and going down under a challenge when the defender gets some ball, some leg and other than in the most extreme cases, it's very difficult to say for sure the player was acting.
I'm not sure I can think of a single incident in England football's history where you can honestly say, "That was out-and-out cheating." Sure, Owen might have stayed on his feet against Argentina in the '98 World Cup, but would anyone really equate that to the hand of God? The keepers don't even dive early in penalty shoot-outs. Which is probably why they always lose.
Complain about this comment
I really enjoyed the article about Maradonna and his 'cheating' (and also the comments about others' tactics), which added an excellent perspective to the 'act'.
Also, being an oldish Scotsman, I can't say I was totally unhappy with his 'goal', although I do despise cheats in any walk of life - including sport (and football in particular).
In every match we see on TV these days, there are examples of cheating - jersey pulling, diving, pretending to be hurt, and so on.
I am sometimes ashamed that our so-called top footballers - whose actions are mimicked by the millions of adoring young fans throughout the world - can look themselves in the mirror if they sit back the next day and watch re-runs of the previous day's match.
I guess you will rceive many articles from people like me, a forward by nature, who received a fair bit of 'stick' from the tougher guys who played in defence, and who would do anything they could to prevent a forward getting past them! I had to learn to accept that it was all part of the game, albeit a part that I couldn't personally embrace.
Finally, the real point of my note was to say that one of my heroes in the late 60's/early 70's, was George Best. One morning I opened the daily paper to find a photo of George - a back view with him wearing only a pair of y-fronts - and his back and legs were black and blue from all the elbows and kicks he received.
I don't remember if George Best ever dived or cheated in his life - we didn't see all that many games on TV in those days! My memories of him were of a man with sublime skills - almost equalling the greatest - Pele - and Maradonna, for me the next-best.
The reason I wrote this was really just to say that the name of George Best should have been included in your 'blog' as a wonderful exponent, ambassador, of 'the beautiful game'.
Complain about this comment
All footballers, here and abroad, follow the creed described by the 'old South American international'. Cheating is the name of the game. That Maradona gained a reputation as a cheat in a game where cheating is the norm simply means his cheating was more direct and high profile.
As for the defence that he was on the receiving end of so many rough tackles (boo hoo, my heart bleeds), perhaps then the reason for his cocaine habit was simply that so many people around him were snorting that he felt left out?
Complain about this comment
Arguably the most gifted player of all time.
Unfortunately, he did cheat and takes great pride in the fact that he cheated. Having spent many a year in Argentina and personally meeting him outside La Bombonera my opinion of him changed greatly.
He most certainly is not the true gentleman that Pele has grown into. Spends most of his time in strip clubs having have many a problem with cocaine. Not that this should overshadow his football ability but in my personal opinion a bad appointment for the most technical team on the planet in this moment.
He pulled off one of the greatest sporting cheats of all time in the most important sporting competition, only after the Olympics.
I have seen books, t shirts, tattoo's, the list go's on and on with that very picture of him handling the ball into the net.
How can we say it is unjust that he is labeled a cheat?
He cheated, plain and simple.
Complain about this comment
to be honest i dont agree with you. Maradona cheated and he should be remembered for doing that. He knew he was doing wrong (although as you explained I suppose as he was South American he wouldn't see it like that) But we know he did wrong, he cost us that world cup. I know if i was playing i wouldn't ever cheat no matter the circumstance (tempted to maybe). Its similar to C.Ronaldo i guess, in the fact that most man u fans turn a blind eye to Ronaldo's diving. I mean i'm a chelsea fan and i dislike Drogba because of his overdramatic dives. Visciously tackling/attacking someone i can understand as its probably easy on the football pitch to lose your temper, but cheating requires real thought. Players who cheat shouldnt be representing their countries (they should at least take some sort of punishment for it, not just write it down in their biographies when they've happily retired,) Maradona should publicly apologise for his "hand of God" move (if he hasn't already i dont actually know)
Complain about this comment
There is something very English about the idea that a defender cheating (shirt pulling, dirty tackles, elbows) is not only fine, but is referred to with admirable terms like 'getting stuck in' or 'sophisticated' but an attacker cheating (diving, mainly) deserves him being publicly stoned to death.
Maradona was a cheat. But the hypocrisy is not giving the same label to those who fouled him every 6.2 seconds.
Complain about this comment
So if I decide to punch the ball in the net instead of legally finishing it then that's ok?
What makes him a worse cheat than anyone is that he was fantastically talented and should have been a role model to his generation. Why did he need to cheat more than cloggers like Fenwick or Butcher? Neither of those players would have contemplated doing what he did if they had been in his position, despite their limited talents, and neither resorted to illegal stimulants.
Instead, behaviour like this fuels revenge and hence the even greater animosity between the two countries - even worse than it would have been. And ignorant compositions like yours merely excuses an injustice and makes the Argies seem to be the wronged party! What good does that do them or us?
The truth is that Maradona himself suffered for his sins and nearly died for them too - only since cleansing himself has he been able to recover to a near normal life - surely a lesson for all sinners/cheats!! Redemption is possible but only when you face up to the errors of your ways!
Complain about this comment
This blog is superb. I agree it may be the single best blog ever published by bbc sport. I think one can also raise the point that many English fans who claim to loathe Maradona as a cheat, may well have a secret admiration for him and even a grudging respect for what he did in 86 and how he has defended himself and never felt shame for it. He may be a cheat but at least hes an honest cheat, and as Tim says, maybe one who deserves a bit of slack. Also, we should add that Maradona in his autobiography actually cited the Falklands as extra motivation for his performace against England, and since Argentina felt cheated out of 'their' land, his own action was simply like for like and actually only a retaliatory blow. I believw thats why he named it the 'hand of god'.
Complain about this comment
#38 Gerrard against andorra he hit the deck then under minimal contact now surely the 100 grand a week man should have been able to have got on with winning without being a cheat.
What about owens one against argentina in the 2002 world cup when replays showed absolutely NO contact, that was the payback for the hand of god we were told.
The other thing is that as far as i read it Vickery is pointing out that many who call maradona a cheat are quite happy to support players who do exactly the same thing (The last world cup when crouch grabbed sancho's hair to get england a win against t&t). I don't remember an outcry then but that was just cunning and not cheating i guess.
Thanks again Tim for another thought provoking article! Last weeks one had the FM community up in arms till some realised they were a bit silly!
p.s Oh and for 44 are you joking mate so it's ok to elbow someones face off because you have limited ability! your argument is just so flawed those two can't be cheats as they always played fair by hacking and ram raiding everything that moved!! Lets be honest every player is a cheat as they all break the rules!!!
Complain about this comment
PS Since when was a sliding tackle cheating?? Everyone played by the same rules in the 70s and 80s and you are not telling me that South American teams did not tackle in the same way as Europeans - truth is that if the England team played like the Argies or Uruguayans Maradona would have been lucky to have been walking, let alone scoring, a fabulous second goal against England in 86!! Who are the bigger cheats in that context then?
Your piece reads like the witterings of a jaundiced Celt - far from partial. The truth is that the rules are the rules - Maradona was a cheat and admits to still being one - that is not unfair, it is a fact!
Complain about this comment
So defending Maradona by claiming because he was wronged it's almost accepted that he too should be allowed to wrong? A blatant handball in order to grab his team a lead they may not have had otherwise? (They'd have probably won that match anyway, but still...). Performance enhancing drugs in order to overcome his deteriorating physical condition? The guy was a cheat, and trying to excuse that fact with tales of how others have also bent the rules is not a case of defence; it just further strengthens the fact that 1) Maradona was a cheat and 2) there is so much riding on top level sport the pressure on these men becomes crippling.
I love the blog, in fact I think it's always the best bit of reading one can get from the net, but I, for one, will never abide by the party line that he is the best player ever; the most talented? Perhaps. The best exponent of the game? Not a chance.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
There are several flaws in this post:
1) your argument might hold sway with a neutral audience but not with the "wronged" fans (I imagine Cameroon fans are still not fond of Lineker, for example, whereas other fans may not see it as harshly);
2) there are degrees of cheating, and some cannot be defended - diving/simulation is sadly a part of the game these days (and especially in SA from your post) but deliberately punching the ball into the net is a step above that and cannot be condoned under any circumstances;
3) it's a straight red card if you use the hand of god to stop a goal, so why should it not be if you do so to score a goal and, in that case, you can never defend such actions;
4) to condone this sort of cheating for any reason (kicked around the park or not) is a slippery slope - next you'll be allowing players to fix games to ensure favourable results; and
5) in the closing stages of a major competition, with so much at stake, no amount of cheating of any sort should ever be passed over - it all needs to be stamped out in the game from the top down, and the WC finals is the pinnacle of the game and the first place to start.
Therefore, I cannot agree with your view in any way shape or form (although that's not to let English or any players off the hook who also cross the line of fair play).
I'm hoping we get the Argies in the WC and utterly destroy them in a match where Capello's ice cold, shrewd tactical genius completely undoes and embarrasses Maradona in a massive England win - and without a dodgy call or hint of cheating in sight. He deserves it.
Complain about this comment
Diego Maradona remains the greatest player of all time ahead of Pele. He may have cheated for the first goal againt us, but what about the second??!! - pure magic.
The true test of his legacy is this: can you name any other Argentine players in the world-cup winning side of 1986? You may reel off one or two. Now apply this test to Brazil's team of 1970 - bet you can name at least half the team.
I wish Diego all the best and agree with Tim - at least he has the guts to take the job.
Complain about this comment
Yes Tim.
Whilst that is true.
That doesnt detract from the fact he is a cheat.
And refs had it right in those days, cos u could actually tackle unlike now where th FA and FIFA prevent defenders breathin on an opposition player.
Its sad and Maradona is still and always will be a cheat!
Plus Pele was 10x as talented as Maradona, ther have been many other, and will be many more, players more talented than Maradona.
Nowhere near the besst ever.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Nearly 23 years later and still people crying about Maradona and that goal, of course no english player cheats or dives do they? No doubt England would have got to final in 86 beating the evil west germans 5-0 if Maradona hadn't been such a spoilsport.
Complain about this comment
interesting point Tim, but i'm afraid you have fallen in love with South American football, and lost your identity mate. A true Englishman would never stick up for Maradona - never. shame on you.
Complain about this comment
I always read your articles Tim, even though i would prefer you wrote on other subjects, you make your articles about South American football very interesting, and they are always worth a read.
Congratulations on such consistently good and interesting work.
Complain about this comment
Great Blog, I wasn't expecting this from an English blogger.
Does anyone remember the recent Paul scholes incident? Where he tried to score by hand? It's funny how nobody has mentioned it.
Maradona - Greatest player ever .. His second goal against England was the bestest Goal ever.
Complain about this comment
#53: You're post is so utterly presumptuous. How do you know I don't believe Rio is a cheat? Does that in some way hide the fact that Maradona is a convicted drug cheat? Lets not hide behind silly rhetoric and just tell it like it is; Maradona is a cheat of the worst kind; it's as simple as that. Whether that's a case of culture, of upbringing, of being wronged, handling the ball to prevent a goal is sending off offence as it's against the rules, therefore, doing it to score a goal in such a deliberate manner should be held with similar disdain.
I am no hypocrite; a cheat is a cheat, I don't care what his nationality is. But using a two wrongs policy in order to gain empathy is silly. Ben Johnson's case almost single handedly ruined an entire sport; should we therefore learn to empathise because everyone else was at it too? He was a cheat and there's no getting round that fact, same with Maradona, same with the "English heroes" you're trying to paint me on the side of.
I have nothing against Maradona the player, fantastic marvel that he was, but a lot of his actions were deplorable, and like I said this come down to two things: 1) his cheating ways and 2) the sheer magnitude and importance of top level sport.
The guy was a great, there's no denying that, but the guy was not the greatest; his penchant for cheating is only a small part of the reason I sit in another corner - and just so you don't think I have an agenda, the greatest also wasn't Brazilian.
Complain about this comment
I always liked thinking of Maradona in that game against England in terms of his goals representing the concept of 'gambeta'.
Check this excerpt to illustrate the point:
"Fellow Argentinian footballer Jorge Valdano, who scored the winning goal in the 1986 final against West Germany, writes that the concept of gambeta is central to understanding the lives of people growing up in Argentinian slums. Gambeta comprises two elements: supreme skills with creativity and a taste for deceit. Just as the second "Miracle Goal" against England in the quarterfinal in Mexico 1986 is one component of gambeta, so is the first controversial "Hand of God" goal.
Which (no matter what your view of Maradona) sounds a lot more romantic than saying he was a bit of a cheater.
Complain about this comment
There is absolutely no point in denying he was one of the best players in football history, and anyone who thinks otherwise should be watching something else.
Tim, it's not that it adds "extra pleasure" from the victory. The fact that said rival is "extra angry" is what makes it funny. Even though it usually happened more frequently in here, these times the brazilian refereeing is being less complacent with dives and the such.
Oh, and, to all the ones that claim that diving and such are horrible, please go tell this to Cristiano Ronaldo and the ManU fans before wasting your lines across the atlantic.
Complain about this comment
There are so many jaundiced Celts contributing to this blog that it is virtually unreadable. I did not say Maradona was a bad player - he was the player of his generation. He had skills that others did not - this is not jaundiced it is fact. As for England there is obviously cheating - Scholes punched the ball in v Poland in 99 for example. That was cheating. And there are many more.
So what is your problem with calling Maradona a cheat??? Maybe you should ditch the navy blue/green kits and both adopt all yellow in the future - when is there going to be one Scots/Irish contributor who actually acknowledges the truth??
As for Fenwick if he had been sent off no-one would have complained but I bet he would not have done what Maradona did - he would not have been so cunning.
Not all problems in the world are due to the English.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I feel its prudent to point out that its not just English fans but Brazilians as well who often bring up Maradona's infamous handball when the Argie's name comes up in the Pele vs Maradona debate! Around the world, whenever a point has to made about Maradona's flawed genius, its among first things thats brought up ahead of his cocaine addiction, hell even in German footie shows! Its as if the infamous goal is some focal point for criticising him. Whether such an attitude is right or wrong, I cant say, but I personally think its that episode and the cocaine addiction which prevents him from rising above Pele in footballing hegemony and FIFA circles.
If he's gotten his life back on track and wants to manage his country; its good for him and the Argies. I understand Phil's point but I am not wishing him or the Argies any luck. After all, for on their day our boys dont need any outside help to self-destruct at a World Cup - they manage it pretty well on their own as it is :-)
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
PS We won the world cup - it was not cheating it was an error by a match official - I suppose Hunt should have slam-dunked the rebound in the net off the bar like any Scot would have done, eh?? I am not xenophobic either - but you obviously are - as you are also trophyless!!!
Complain about this comment
its funny to read so many people misconstrue what was said in the article. Those who have claimed there are levels of cheating are bringing up an argument that is indefensible. Who decides the level of cheating? is a shirt pull level 1 and then 'hand of god' level 10? To say there are levels is ridiculous as it is bringing an even more subjective view on something that is contentious enough.
Also, those of you who comment on the blatant cheating of that goal are correct but the only reason you remember is because it was in such a high profile match. If he had dived to get a pen and tucked it away he would have got the same amount of grief. how many people on here can name 3 instances of a prem footballer using his hand to try and get a goal? You cant because they are forgotten as soon as linekar and co have stopped chatting on motd.
I think it was about time that someone commented on the fickle nature of football fans. To call him a cheat is fine but then so is every footballer who has played the game pretty much. The degree of cheating is irrelevant as there is no way of calculating such a thing, to those who still claim he robbed us of a world cup, get over it we wouldnt have won anyway, look at the other goal. they had more talent in 1 player as we had on the whole pitch
Complain about this comment
Dear, Mr. Vickery
I am responding to your blog on defending Maradonna as a cheat and your opinions as to why he deserves this position that the A.F.A. has afforded him.
I can with a clear conscience say this"Maradonna was a cheat" I am not saying this because of a perception of diving(which I never thought of Diego Maradonna). I am stating this because it is a fact. I do my homework and with such a bold statement as mine , I feel a responsibilty to give reference to this fact..Maradonna was disqualified from 1994 World cup because of cheating e.g. drug test.Yes that is cheating regardless if it was a performance enhancer or just for a feel good thing, it is cheating.I am surprised you wasn't aware of this, you being a journalist, I am also stunned that a journalist from the BBC defended cheating when it is so well documented.
I also find your statement, "Firstly because he has recovered sufficiently from his problems to be able to take on the position" to be ridiculous and reckless. Maradonna has had chemical dependency issues as recent as 2007, and again it is well documented. I find it deplorable that you seem to know he has , "recovered" when in fact you have no idea.Add the stresses of qualifications for a world cup especially with such an icon at such a passionate country.I personally feel as if it makes it a high risk relapse waiting to happen.I am sure many expert Doctors would agree with me, allthough I am just stating my opinion on this.
As a journalist your blog is full of third person stories or your opinions.Opinions and stories are fine when they are represented as one.When opinions are stated as facts as two of your statements conclude.Then a journalist's opinion is nothing more than a farce, and disguised as a fact.As such is your blog.
Thank you for your time, Daniel Maddalena.Springfield Ohio USA
Complain about this comment
THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR CHEATING
In a world of digenerating values acticles like this a just fuel to toal disorder --let's rip up the rule book and just watch mayhem--in this world Vickery you are the first to receive the fatal blow.
Complain about this comment
George Best faced FAR worse treatment and less protection in the 70s an still never cheated.
Lineker faced similar intimidation and bad tackles in the same era and never cheated like Maradona.
The logic/reasoning in defense of Maradona is fallacious.
e.g.
Maradona was mistreated as MANY skilled players were But they did NOT resort to the cheating and the extent/level of cheating that Maradona got up to.
I understand the point of saying he was cheated against many times so he might have wanted to reciprocate, the problem is;
The extension of such logic when taken out of the context of hitting back against those cheating against him in games would be akin to.....
A man not beating up those that have beat him up, but rather...
Of a man beating up any innocent man he wants in future on the grounds that he was once unfairly beaten. Try making that logic stand up in court!
Maradona was cheated against and it could be argued that returning the favour has a peverse logical fairness to it.
But to suggest as this article does that Maradona was ok to cheat those that did not cheat him because he has been cheated by other different players and teams in the past is ridiculous!!!
The extent of the cheating is also an issue. You canhot say that going to ground under some contact is remotely the same thing as it is NOT.
I am NOT aware of many players across the world who would do/have done what Maradona did. That is not a British thing.
The fact is Maradona cheated in a despicable way and no amount of moral relativism or cultural explanations can wipe that fact away. I am perfectly aware of the fact that the culture of Argentine football is different and I am not a little Englander or a right wing reactionary (liberal Guardian reader who regulally watches La Liga, Seria a, etc) but that does not make cheating this badly right!
Brazilian players and teams have not traditionaly embraced cheating like Argentina and Maradona did, neither have any other nation, teams etc
In fact virtually no footballers on any continent have gone for and tried to excuse away or even reval in the handball goal like Maradona has (though Messi in awre of Maradona does try.
So let's not try and justify the dark side of Maradona and just stick to the truth.
That he is one of the greatest players of all time, one of the best driblers of a football ever who scored one of if not the greatest goal of all time against England.
As a player Maradona is one of if not my favourite player ever, but he was also at times anasty cheat.
Complain about this comment
Lionel Messi scored a very similar goal with his hand for Barcelona but I haven't heard him being branded a cheat.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Great players are always remembered for what they produced on the pitch, not necessarily activities off it. With Maradonut I remember the following:
-playing at Wembley at 17 yrs old
-getting turned over by Gentile
-Butcher of Bilbao turning him over
-Butcher of Ipswich scoring the Goal of the Century
-Hand ball
mmmmmm
Complain about this comment
Tim, football in south america is a culture the english will never understand...NEVER! the mentalities are way too contrasting and it is hard for a hard-headed, closed-minded individual from either side to travel to the other side and cope. that's why i have much respect for you! i cannot stand the english i play football with in university. but i have to accept it because there's no such thing as the right/wrong way of playing football. "get rid of it", "get stuck in" and "stop showboating" are things i still cannot understand. so the english can call el diego a cheat, we'll say they haven't changed the way the play football since it was invented...i dont care anymore, i want o play football!!!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
He cheated by using his fist to punch the ball into the net, he will be for ever remembered as such by Engalnd fans end of.
What makes me laugh most is how hypocritical the Argentinans are, they cheat constantly but are the first to claim they have been sinned against, like their behaviour when they got booted out of the last world cup.
But it was great to get revenge by knocking them out of the 2002 world cup in the group stages when they had self proclaimed themselves as favourites, a game which Maradonna had declared they must never be defeated in because of his cheating in 86.
Complain about this comment
What ever you think of Maradona he had sreaks of brillance. If you get the chance watch film documentary Maradona by Kusturica is wonderful his rise from the shant town[not unlike Tevez] playing for Boca Juniors going to Europe and winning the World Cup. Even Castro was in awe of him the man behind the myth.Next February his daughter Gianna is having a baby boy her fiance is Kun Augero Ath Madrid 3rd best player in the world at the moment.What a gene pool that baby will have any ideas for a name mine is Di Stephano Augero after THE greatest ever Argentinan player Alfredo Di Stephano
Complain about this comment
Of course, Maradona was cheated against, and, of course, he was capable of cheating.
But the thing that irritates me most (even after all this time) is that Shilton should have got there first and dealt with it. Maradona should never have had the opportunity to cheat in this instance.
Yet who was in goal 4 years later? Again, it was a man imitating aa sack of potatoes - Germany's goal, the penalties, etc.
Complain about this comment
It's funny how Brits usually remember Diego's hand goal and not his masterpiece, the one everybody else around the world remembers.
Let me tell you something about him: he is one of the best footballers ever, but also a human being with a horrible illness called drug addiction.
Other than that he's a pretty cool bloke, really. Not a egomaniacal lowlife like many protray him to be but an actual nice guy. He'd never say crap about other footballers like Pelé does for example. In fact, he's usually very respectful of and loyal to his colleagues, especially the younger players. (Not fond of Passarella and Ramón Díaz though because of the Boca-River thing).
He's also personable, funny, smart, and passionate for--and knowledgable of -- the game we all love. He's the type of lad you'd like to 'ave a beer with (if you spoke Spanish, of course).
Moreover, Diego is a loving father and a generous friend. Everybody close to him have nothing negative to say about his character (as far as I know not even his ex wife, and that in my book is reason enough to canonize him).
In sum, Diego is no doubt a complex and troubled individual, but he is, above all, a great person. And also --and this is the only thing that should matter to us-- he truly was outstanding on the field, wasn't it? Especially with his feet, but not too shabby with the hands either, right Brits?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
post 68, Danny I've tried to read your post, I've held it up to the light to see if there's some hidden meaning in secret ink and I still can't make much sense of it.
What i write is a farce, apparently, because I am presenting opinions as facts. And the one you take exception to is that Maradona has recovered sufficiently to take on this new position.
That's not my opinion - it is the opinion of the AFA, who presumably regard it as a fact. Please note that I did say that he would not have been my choice to become Argentina's coach.
I don't think it's so much a case of condoning Maradona's mis-deeds. I have my utopias as well, and would love it if there was no cheating in football - the day the human being reaches perfection we may just get there.
What I don't like is the cheap and thoughtless labelling. As I wrote in the blog, I don't recall anyone being as cheated against as Maradona. If we're going to brand him as a cheat then the vast majority of those who have played the game also deserve the same label - especially those who try to kick and intimidate talent like Maradona's out of the game.
I grew up watching and admiring Martin Peters. He has had the courage to admit that he took a dive and conned the ref in an important game. I don't condone it, but I'm not going to label him a cheat - just a human being, flaws and all.
Complain about this comment
Top riposte Tim...........
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Appreciate you taking the time to reply, Tim.
However, I must once again ask, forget the handball for a second and take into account his use of performance enhancers; drugs taken in order to enhance his physical capabilities and give him the kind of advantages he otherwise would not have. I'm sorry but this is more than human error and the disposition to make mistakes, this is calculated cheating and a conscious attempt to gain an edge over competitors and over the body's natural descent.
Maradona was cheated against, as flair players always were and always will be, but at least he played in an era when the red card wasn't merely a myth, it was actually a measure that was used; Best, Puskas, Di Stffano, Pele (watch the 1966 world cup and his only game vs Mexico at the 62 world cup for proof) had to deal with strong arm tactics that would go with barely the warning of a referee's whistle, never mind a yellow card. And whilst those players may well have resorted to gamesmanship from time to time, none were as calculated or as blatant as that handball and none of the above were convicted for drug use. Therein lies the difference.
Complain about this comment
I feel this brings up an interesting debate about different peoples view of what cheating is. Tims often used and very true phrase that football is a universal language spoken in different accents also comes into play here.
Traditionally we English consider things like diving and deliberate handballs, like Maradonas, as more serious an offence than a dangerous challenge, the likes of which Maradona was frequently on the end of.
I believe this is because things like diving can win you a penalty and free kicks which directly can effect the result of a game. A bad challenge is much easier to spot by the referee than a subtle dive and therefore, for me, a dive is worse. A South American perspective would likely be the opposite. A bad challenge, whilst I certainly don't condone it, is less cheating in my book. You cannot directly win a penalty or score a goal through a dirty challenge. You most certainly can through a dive and or a deliberate handball.
I've always said that a rule should be introduced that if a player is proved after a game to have deliberately dived to win a penalty he should be given at least a 10 match ban. There has to be a deterrent in my book.
Complain about this comment
I've always admired Tim Vickery's writing but this article was very sad, and his attempt to exonerate Maradona is deplorable.
You seem to have forgotten Tim that Maradona also took drugs while playing and was thrown out of the World Cup because of that. So he is a DOUBLE CHEAT.
Complain about this comment
Excellent point Sir-Herbert
Complain about this comment
Excellent article again Tim. I am also a subscriber to World Soccer and have long admired your articles and reports.
If you or any of the other posters have time, have a read of this poor bit of journalism for a contrast in journalistic ability:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1082093/HATCHET-MAN-Its-terrible-message-sent-cheat-Maradona-national-team-boss.html
For a long time I have been interested to read about the South American attitude to diving and to be honest, the british should get off their moral high ground. If Aberdeen (my team) won the Scottish Cup through scoring a last minute winner from the penalty spot because 1 of our players had dived to win the penalty, i'd praise the diver for that. If the other way about, yeah naturally I would be dissapointed and angry, but at the same time be either angry with the defender for allowing the striker the opportunity to dive or the referee for being conned by it.
Complain about this comment
Nice blog Tim.
Maradona has been a great footballer. We need to look at the brighter side and the sheer joy he gave to millions with his dribbling, passing and goal scoring abilities.
To err is human but to forgive is divine. Let us wish Maradona all the very best in his coaching and in life.
Dr. Cajetan Coelho
Complain about this comment
Bringing the dope scandal of 1994 is very interesting.
Of course he did take it and in-fact he was arrested in 1991 as well for possession of cocaine.
He was rightfully given the punishment, no doubt.
But I feel a lot of players have gotten away with it.
Reading through Ruy Castro's biography of the legendary Garrincha there are more than direct references to "tablets" given to players before the game. if I remember correct.
And there are accounts of match-fixing as well.
Another instance is that it is very well known that Christian Vieri used to snuff.
And there are lot more examples.
Will all these players also be branded as drug cheats ?.
The game of football is not thankfully athletic, as Maradona displayed with that second goal against England it is lot more artistic. Drugs dont help there.
Look, I am not comparing or flaming countries/players. Just feel that one player is being tainted and his achievements degraded because of his dark-side, which should rightfully be criticized. But not at the expense of taking away his achievements.
Complain about this comment
Tim, with some people there's no point trying to clarify your opinion.
Many football fans see things only in black and white. My team, your team, my country, other countries. Thats part of the tribalism of the game.
Explaining the complexities of human nature and the concept of cheating within football is a pointless exercise. This blog will be read mainly by an Anglo-Saxon audience. And that Anglo-Saxon audience will always admire honest endeavour over silky skills and 'cunning'. Cheating will always be more acceptable if it's done in a 'manly' way - through aggression- rather than mental cunning.
British football fans will always excuse a player who goes around kicking and elbowing while condemning simulation or wind-up tactics in all their forms. It's the way we are. English fans will also be particularly one-eyed about the national team, as there seems to be this feeling that we're owed something since 1966.
Complain about this comment
Good article.
There is no doubt that foreign players do dive more and are more spectacular about it but lets not kid ourselves into thinking we dont do it.
Franny Lee has openly admitted he used to take the ball past defenders in the box and fall over with the slighest contact or none at all to win penalties. This was the 60's bear in mind many years before the so called foriengers came and "ruined" our league with their diving.
Then again its not helped by so called experts like the perposterously smug Gareth Crooks who claimed quite grandly on match of the day a couple of yeras ago after a blatant Wright-Phipps dive that got somone sent of that he couldnt have dived because he was English.
There is no doubt maradona's handball was a shocking bit of cheating but what on Earth was the ref doing that day. I was 8 when that match was on and even is aw it was handball. Also had he done it against say Germany would we be calling it daring improvisation?
Complain about this comment
Post 38 by "hendero" referred to cheating by Goalkeepers (and other players) at Penalty Kicks Law 14.
As a retired Canadian National Referee, and at all World Cups, I have observed the mis-administration of 90% of these kicks by Officials. Keepers do come off the goal-line, and players do enter the Penalty Area, before the ball is struck. Most Senior Referees give the kicker "one bite at the cherry", and ignore all other infringements.
During an International Referee Seminar in Vancouver, British Columbia, I asked "Guest of Honour" Sepp Blatter FIFA President to comment
He said "I cannot be held responsible for the failure of Referees to administer the Laws correctly". No discussion !
Blatter and the hierarchy may therefore be complicit about cheating in the "Beautiful Game"?
A most penetrating article by Tim Vickery
Complain about this comment
I've always thought of Maradona as a sad case. Pele isn't remembered for cheating, despite what some Brazilian officials might have to say. He's remembered most of all for the absolute brilliance of his football, THAT pass to Carlos Alberto in particular.
I lived in Mexico for well on 10 years, and what Maradona (and Argentinians in general) are famed for is not only that they cheat, but that they take pride in cheating. This coming from a country in America.
If Maradona was confident about his greatness, he wouldn't have felt the need to cheat. That he did, and on such big a stage, and with no remorse, somewhat tarnished whatever legacy he might have left behind.
That and the fact that he felt the need to use cocaine, and relapse after he was given another chance, lead me to place him firmly in the "pity" column, as opposed to the "greatness" one.
Complain about this comment
A lot of you are missing the point:
IT IS NOT OKAY TO CHEAT!
It doesn't matter if you are Maradonut, Martin Peters, Franny Lee, Jurgen Klinsmann, Cristiano Ronaldo, Drogba, Robbie Savage, L**ds or whoever.
It's about time someone took a hard stance on this. I only have to see school kids feigning injury to see how big the problem has become
Complain about this comment
#91: I have to ask, do you know anything about the kind of drug Maradona was found guilty of taking in 1994? Without it the man would barely have been able to step sideways, never mind play a full 90 minutes of intense international football in the heat and humidity of the United States. Football, is as much about cardio-vascular endurance and maintaining this endurance in order to keep one's skills at their optimum throughout playing time. What happens when a person tires? His awareness, his ability to complete tasks and his body's will to perform wanes; taking drugs that aid this fatigue index helps one maintain the skills required to create "art" in an artificial manner, ergo, cheating.
I still find it hard to believe that people will defend drug use in football simply because the components of fitness a player needs differ to those with the stigmatised with incessant drug use. It's weak and ill-judged. Just as bringing up other players rumoured drug use is - Maradona is a proven drug cheat, the players of which you're trying to hold him up against are not. Again, therein lies the difference.
Complain about this comment
The weight loss drug thing in 94 makes me very sad - especially as he was playing so well.
It would have been better if he hadn't played that World Cup - but his country came calling and he couldn't find it in himself to say no. Say what you like about him he was always a team player, his loyalty was to his team-mates and all he wanted was for the team to win. it's almost impossible to find someone who played with Maradona who doesn't feel real warmth towards him for this - which is not always true in the case of Pele, for example.
I think that the tragedy of 94 is that he was a human being trying to live up to the demands from his countrymen that he be a god once more. So with his own medical staff - who should surely have known better - he took a short cut to get his weight down.
It was wrong, he was found out and slung out. But let's put it in context - the drug coctail he took gave him a showcase to display his skills. There has yet to be a drug invented that can help somone trap a ball or give a pass or read a game the way that Maradona could.
I don't think it's comparable to all those athletes - Ben Johnson, etc, where the drug is the performance.
Complain about this comment
i remember the first time seeing maradona on the telly when england played argentina at wembley in 1980. england won 3-1 then but he made one or two brillaint runs that would become his trademark.
but if ever a player was "kicked off the park" it was maradona in the 1982 world cup in spain. the treatment dished out to him by the italians and brazilians was shocking, no wonder he evntually snapped and got himself sent off.
then there was the foul which almost ended his career in 84 (i think) when he was playing for barca.
i know i called him a dirty cheat in 86 but that was just emotion, afterwards i realised he did what any pro would have done - even gary lineker admitted he'd have handled that second chance into the net if he thought he'd have got away with it.
re: martin peters - alan shearer said the same with his outrageous dive when england lost to romania in euro 2000. he threw himself on the ground in the last minute then dressed it up as "you do anything for your country when you're desperate". no better than maradona then.
no, good luck to him. and hopefully we'll beat argentina in the final of the world cup in south africa - with a last-minute handball!
Complain about this comment
All your article does is point out the need for a "Third Umpire" and for an ENFORCEMENT of the rules. Cheating by anyone is cheating!
If we really are going down the South American road of "all's fair in love, war and football" then you should give it up.
If you believe that Peter's effort and admission justifies Maradona's, you are wrong!!
Both should have been dealt with severely as Kay and Swann were in the match fixing of the 50's/60's.
Sending people off for months without pay will get their attention and perhaps return us to better, fairer days!!
Complain about this comment
As football fans, we are all hypocrites. How often do you hear managers bemoan a dive costing them a penalty only to defend their own player when he does the same thing the following week?
That said, I do find it extraordinary that the international bodies are more concerned about stamping out tough challenges than diving. Certainly dangerous tackles are a problem, but too often recently mistimed or clumsy attempts for the ball have been construed as such.
To be honest, in a lot of ways I would judge a footballer much more by his conduct off the pitch rather than on it and Maradona is a byword for excess and arrogance in that regard.
Complain about this comment
the article seemed to talk as much about the honesty of the English player as Maradona. It is worth remembering that after the match in 86 Maradona said that he couldn't have scored the second goal if the English players weren't as honest as they were, the implication being that they were one of the least cheaty teams around.
The fact that he got as many goals as he did in his career would seem to suggest that the cheating against him was compensated for by a few dives from him in the box...
Considering the title of the article you didn't discuss other aspects of MD's life like getting kicked out of a world cup for taking drugs although I can understand it if you left this out because you weren't convinced by the seriousness of the drugs.
Complain about this comment
Tony - post 81.
I was 23 before I ever made it out of England.
My old man got to 84 without ever getting further than a quick trip to Dublin.
Eeees the truth, meester!
Complain about this comment
Post 92 - Subterranean, you sound like you are English but you certainly don't sound like an England fan.
I appreciate that Maradona was an amazingly talented player but can you really complain that England fans above others dislike the guy? He cheated to knock us out the World Cup in 86 (thats not me saying we would have gone through if he hadn't cheated by the way) and after made some very questionable comments about his justification for it relating to certain events between the two countries in the early 80's.
Its very easy for you to use the 'xenophobic English' stereotypes and the fact we've won nothing since 66' to prove your point
Complain about this comment
Post 96, Nobody has said that it is OK to cheat but it happens. Cheating will always be part of Sport and will never be eradicated. FIFA have introduced Yellow Cards for diving but players still do it as it is worth the risk. Even players that are already on a yellow card.
You're telling me if your team or country won a major trophy because they did a Hand of God or dived to win a penalty you wouldn't be happy?
Scotland vs Lithuania in Sept 2007, Mikolaunis of Lithuania makes a horrendous dive against Fletcher and makes it 1-1. A lot of my mates were calling Mikolaunis everything under the sun, but to be honest with you, Fletcher stuck his leg naively which made easy for Mikolaunis to dive and the ref and linesman should have noticed that they were conned, but thats football. Luckily Scotland went on to win 3-1!
Complain about this comment
Good article, it is thought provoking comment and an angle worth looking at before taking the moral high-ground.
I do agree with the comments to a point, I remember Jurgen Klinsman when he first came to Spurs answering the diving accusations by talking about having to take 'evasive action' because he knew the defenders at times had no other thought than to break his legs. But I am not sure we should go as far as to accept this as part of the game.
As far as 'that goal' goes I think I was more annoyed by the fact that ;
A -Maradonna could not admit it after the game.
B - Shilton who towered over Maradonna somehow managed a weak punch in thin air and was beaten to the ball !!
Complain about this comment
Very few of us are saying that its o.k to cheat lets make that clear. Cheating and might i add poor officiating are the two biggest blights on the game of football. I cant think of one other professional sport that even comes close to having these problems as serious as football does.
I just dont see why one person is been villified i.e maradona while there as been a shrug of the shoulders whenever someboday else has been caught doing it.
if FIFA and UEFA werent so spineless then cheating could be a thing of the past. But like their appaling attitude to racism i wont be holding my breath for things to change any time soon
Complain about this comment
#98: I understand his need to appease the nation that adored him and the difficulty a guy like he, so engrained in the national fabric, would have with not answering the calls of a nation, and again, I agree that he should quite simply, not have played. But he did and what happened, happened. And it's all very well claiming that as a primarily skill based activity, drug taking in football is a lesser evil than in a sport like athletics; the fact is, however, it isn't. When you've fallen as far as Maradona did at the time the skills do remain, but the body's capacity to perform them doesn't. Knowing this, Maradona took affirmative action, i.e. drugs, into lessening the effects of this natural decline.
Fans of football want to believe that football is a sport in which it's athletes don't get advantages from performance enhancers, and whilst the skills are something that can never be honed artificially, one's ability to habitually perform these tasks with maximum efficiency and certainty is something that can be tweaked, and Maradona, with help from medically qualified staff, exploited this in an extremely cynical manner. I simply can't abide by this at all.
Complain about this comment
Post 107 - Sirrantalot, you are spot on in my opinion.
Its always confused me why drug cheats are, quite rightly, severly punished but somebody can be proved by TV replays to have cheated on the pitch and totally get away with it.
Complain about this comment
#97:
Unfortunately, for some reason my comment is not displayed and I dont have a copy of it as well.
I never condoned it, did I?.
I told that he was rightfully punished.
The reason I brought other players, probably the reason BBC edited it out, was to point out that -look you know he did it. But, did you know that such players also committed such acts. Probably not , is my guess. And accounts in a biography of a legend probably IMHO constitute proof.This still doesnt give a free-pass to Diego and he is guilty.
But to equate the way he played the game and the moment of magic he brought on to drug usage is too simple. For the reason that football being such a money-spinner these days, like the way athletics has been hit by PED's football too it too would be flooded with such "athletes".
Just like athletes took "inspiration" from the previous generation and most notably Ben johnson, there would have been a ton of Maradona's so to say.
Have we got one still ?
This means that there is something else that is needed to make a mark than stamina and all the stuff that you keep talking. That was my essence of the post.
The fact that players like Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Rooney, Villa, Robinho, Riquelme, Pirlo, are not even by a relaxed stretch of imagination athletes, so to say. But are still such magnificant players who are proven match winners.
And thanks for the info on the effects of Ephedrine, never knew about it.
Complain about this comment
I remember the game so well. The interest of the recent Falklands conflict added to the tension and we were obligated to dislike Argentina.
I was young and impressionable back then.
However what will always disgrace our country is a poll of the greatest world cup goals which does not include Maradona's second which I saw in the run up to the World Cup of 1994.
Whether it was biased due to our failure to qualify or not I am not sure.
It was a goal of it's time as defenders legally dived in to deprive Maradona and he skipped round them all. Truely the best goal of all time and it will never be repeated, and a total rebuttal to the dirty tackling of England on the day (who were not alone I should add).
Complain about this comment
Brilliant blog again Tim.
I don't think you are ever going to be able to convince the England mainstream on this one.
The only reason England fans are still up in arms about this is because:
1. It worked
2. It was such an important game
If he had tried to handball it into the net and missed it would have been forgotten. This is part of the problem. We only seem to care about cheats if they manage to pull it off. In every league in the world there is blatant cheating. Such that it has become "just part of the game" But it is still cheating and much of it goes unpunished. The crazy reactions only occur when it is in an important game and/or the cheating directly changes the course of play. In the sake of fairness shouldn't we get the witch hunt out every time somebody cheats rather than only when it changes the game in an important match? Cheating is just as unfair toward the other team whether it is a Championship game or a Champions League final. Cheating is cheating and every team does it. So lets punish them all every single time.
I don't expect England fans to ever be able to forgive him for it. Why should they? Any other country would react the same in Englands place. But I don't think that cheating was as big a part of his game as some people make out. He was a wonderful player. No matter what England fans think of him for that incident, I know they are smart enough to recognise him as one of the best players in history.
Whether he will be a good manager remains to be seen.
Complain about this comment
Maradona is labeled cheat due to his hand goal in the quarter final with England, i think and everyone will agree that there was nothing intentional there, and off course you cannot pre-plan something like this.
I remember Voller (Germany) tried his hand in one of the WC games, 1998 I think ??? not sure he was caught, infact Valdano accidently scored a hand goal in the SEMI FINAL vs BELGIUM in 1986 the very next game and it was not allowed. This is rafrees fault off course, PLAYERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LITERALLY EVERYTHING on the field that they can get away with. So talking about Maradoans hand goal and naming THE GREATEST PLAYER every to step on this planet is a BIG BIG JOKE and shows how biased people are especially from Britain.
Not talking about PELE who is a real joke nowdays while trying to do every effort to ruin Maradona, other Lengends like Beckenbar have so much praise for Diego, because no bias there. He knows what the status of the #10 Argentinian !!!
Maradona is and will be THE GREATEST PLAYER every to have played...
I am from Pakistan FYI.
Complain about this comment
#110: I didn't equate any of the talent he possessed to his drug taking of 1994. I did, however, attribute his ability to perform at the level required in 1994 directly to his drug taking as without it, and you Tim has already backed me up on this one, he wouldn't have had any business even being there. Why, do you think him and his medical advisor thought the man, widely regarded as the greatest to play the sport, needed to go to these measures in order to step onto the field of play? Because allied to the skill are a myriad of other physical components that Maradona, at the time, was severely lacking in. Before resorting to the enhancers, the mind was willing, the body, unfortunately, unable.
I'm well versed enough to know that what Maradona possessed was down simply to his own, almost immeasurable talent as a footballer; his inability to accept his body's response to age and abuse, however, is what has me questioning his moral fabric. And with good reason too.
And I'm not entirely sure if that last sentence was sarcastic or not (damn internet anonymity!), I'm hoping it wasn't as I enjoyed your rebuttal, and appreciate another poster willing to heed the post of a fellow blogger in the way you did. If I've managed to pass on any info you weren't aware of before, it was certainly a pleasure doing so.
Complain about this comment
I think maradonna was amazing. I think if he had done what he did "Hand of God and arguable best goal" against say Italy or spain this country would see him for the true and raw talent he was.
He grew up in a different world to the majority of today's stars and and should be applauded for all that he has given to the global game. The hand of god incident in my opinion was no different to gerrard, rooney, ronaldo, drogba and co getting from the ref as much as they can. That is part of the game now and it will continue that way until video replays are introduced.
Great blogg my man!!!
Complain about this comment
Terry Fenwick was only handing out what the little cheat deserved, shame it didnt do more damage, but have to admit was a great player.
Complain about this comment
Dear Tim
There was no hidden meaning in my post and you are well aware of that.Thank you for your response and it is appreciated.
You somehow tried to attempt humor on your response after I criticized your blog.I am a toolmaker and not trained so much as a writer as yourself. Apologies but it wasn't meant to insult you, but more to open your eyes and the readers eyes on what is responsible journalism.I honestly have no invisible ink keys on my keyboard that your response implies(dude it was an email )
So in this attempt I will quote your title, "MaraDona Unfairly Labeled As a Cheat".Tim here are two questions that addresses your title. Question#1. Do you think it is cheating when an athlete takes drugs before , during, or shortly after the world cup, when the rules state that it is illegal . #2 Are you aware that maradonna did this? If you answer my two questions honestly without wasting to much time ,"reading it under the light looking for some hidden meaning in invisible ink," you will come to the conclusion, that, at the minimum your title is false.He cheated in 94 .He failed a drug test and was kicked out of the competition.That is cheating! Now, reread your title, and after being informed about the well documented cheating that Maradona was part of. You either, know nothing about Maradona or havn't even taken the time to research him.Only you know the answer to that .He did cheat and it is a fact. Your title says it's not fair. I think taking drugs during the time testing period for that tournament (that the rules plainly state) is cheating.You seem to think it is okay and he wasn't a cheat.Fair enough, I assume you was spending too much time looking for hidden meanings in invisible ink when those papers was printed in 1994.Suggestion...look at world cup 1994 player disqualifications F.I.F.A. records.HE CHEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this comment
I'd like to echo previously made comments about a balanced and well written article. In addition, despite not knowing anything really about South American football, I always enjoy this blog.
I'm so glad viva_el_10 commented on Shilton's apparent inability to get off the ground! He did it again in Italia '90 when Paul Parker's attempt to charge down the German free kick somehow looped over his head . . .
Complain about this comment
#114:
I have never taken your comments in a negative way.
And I genuinely meant it. I didnt have much idea about it.
I dont know where you got that from that I was being sarcastic.
I clearly got the feeling that you were undermining his achievements, from your earlier posts that is.
Bringing the moral fabric, I think leads one to his own then. Doesnt it ?.
Which takes me back to the comment of mine that got deleted but I am sure you will recollect it. I will put it in this way then.
If you are questioning Maradona on the moral fabric part and rightfully so may I add.
Then if you do indeed read through the biographies of some of the more renown players (some of whom you had referred to in your earlier post) you will find that not all is black and white as you deem it.
Now, I cannot name them here, as I have to do it from the top of my head, and I might as well get another notification.
Complain about this comment
Dear Atim
I am English, and for the record I love Argentinian football. I easily acknowledge that Diego was amazing in 86, I watched the complete match. he might be a decent man, and or a good father. What is another fact is Diego was an amazing football player too. You as a journalist however can not rewrite history about what has happened and what he has done.
We English can never rewrite that match( England was beat much worse than the score). I also feel if the hand of God goal had not happened they would of pressed on and the score could of perhaps been worse. Nor can a journalist rewrite the rules of a tournament so he or she can justify a misleading or falsely titled article that he or she wrote.
Sincerely Daniel Maddalena Springfield Ohio USA
Complain about this comment
oh, and to the guy who said Maradona's second goal was a Butcher own goal: you should have gone to specsavers
Complain about this comment
Tim - Thanks for your reply regarding your Anglo-Saxon roots - but have the drug cocktails you quite clearly necked with Maradona addled your brain?? (as well as enhancing your tan?)
Complain about this comment
Aaah Dublin - so you are a Celt as well?? Or just a fifth-columnist!!
Complain about this comment
Danny (117),
The headline isn't mine - the sub-editors in London choose it (I make this point because you appear to want to use the headline to give me a lecture on responsible journalism). I wrote that I thought the label of cheat was an injustice - and i'm not condoning what Maradona did - in the light of my opinion that he was a player more cheated against than cheating.
Yes, Maradona scored a goal with his hand. Yes, he took an illegal weight loss cocktail. I'd rather he hadn't done these things. They were wrong.
But to pick him out as a cheat when he was surrounded by opponents trying to break his ankle or smash his face in - this seems to be an injustice. Why does he get stuck with the label, not those using illegal means to prevent him? who is cheating the spirit of the game more - the man trying to create, or the man seeking to destroy?
I'm aware that the path of moral relativism is a dangerous one, full of pitfalls. I consider myself an ethical person, but I'm not convinced that, under the circmstances in which Maradona found himself, I would have acted differently - look at what Martin Peters did.
Complain about this comment
#119: When you've been posting on the internet as long as I have and have had to deal with incessant sarcasm and mick taking ad nausea, you do tend to develop a slightly cynical outlook on certain aspects of the service! Apologies for tarring you with even a hint of that brush!
In regards to the rest of the post and my thoughts on Maradona; his ability and his talent was there for all to see; the archives, the facts are indisputable, no matter how many detractors he may have. However, and as I've been reiterating throughout the thread, so too is his use of drugs in order to gain an edge. Now I'm not saying he's the first, or indeed the last, but he is a man who has been caught out and been found out as a man of questionable morals in regards to the game I love.
I'm sure there are others with skeletons in their closets, I'd never expect anything other than several shades of grey, but my contention lies with the premise behind the article ; behind the title of the blog and behind the idea that quantifying cheating is a means to excuse and empathise. The handball can, perhaps, be put on a level similar to diving and other forms of gamesmanship, the drug taking simply can not.
Complain about this comment
Tim-
I salute you. Thank you thank you and thank you for telling it like it is. All too often sports 'journalists' turn the other cheek when it comes to their own (England's Brave John Terry being thee case in point) and even more so when it comes to 'our footballing heritage'.
Thank you for pointing out why Maradona was such a special special player and thank you for pointing out that maybe, just maybe, it was a tad karmic for England to have been done over like that.
A god Maradona most certainly isn't, a God-given talent he most certainly had and yes, you seriously seriously hit the nail on the head when you made the point about him giving so much pleasure to so many- I am 25 years old and my first real conscious memory of Maradona was his psychotic stare into the camera at World Cup '94 after scoring against Argentina, the rest of my appreciation of him comes from YouTube, reading about him from both sides of the camp and looking at what he achieved and how he did it.
Biased as it maybe coming from me, a besotted fan, I think it is really unfair and wholly inaccurate to label him a cheat given the level of play acting at the slightest touch we see in today's game, be it from the foreign or homebred contingent and how it receives scant scorn in comparison. One wonders what'd happen to some of our trumped up and overblown superstars of today if they suffered but the lightest of tackles Maradona and his striking peers had to put up with.
Complain about this comment
To comment number 59... Gambeta! You are right! However, the winning goal in the 1986 final between Argentina and Germany was scored by Jorge Burruchaga (currently a coach, just as Ruggeri, Batista and others in that team) after the only good pass Maradona made that afternoon (he did not play a major role in the final, funnily enough) put him in the clear for a 50 yard dash to goal. Jorge Valdano, who later went on to become Real Madrid's director of football did score the second goal. The first Argentinian goal was scored by an Irish descent player, good old Jose Luis 'Tata' Brown (another coach).
Maradona brought joy back to football in the way kids (and South Americans) 'feel' the game, not the way adults 'understand' it, like in Europe.
If English fans want to see this brand of skill in home grown players, then do please tear up all those beautiful green lush pitches and give up the little orange cones. Then you will see players who will grow not playing 100km/h one touch and could learn how to seduce the ball into submission.
Good luck Diego! Argentina tried pretty much every coach in the book and they have underachieved for the last 22 years.
Complain about this comment
It was also gratifying to see Diego blubbing like a baby four years later after the 1990 world cup final when his team deserved nothing against the Germans - somehow he actually felt sorry for himself on that occasion - maybe he felt denied the opportunity to pit himself against the gravitationally-challenged Shilton once again! I doubt if he could have performed like he did in 1986 if he had not gone on to use drugs before the 94 world cup - as his moderate(by his standards) performance in 1990 showed. Surely, he must have felt, because of his mentality as a cheater, if you do not get satisfaction by punching the ball in the net then the next step is to find the next means to do so. On this occasion, drugs - or are you going to tell me that all footballers contemplate this option?? Yes players dive, some hack and foul but how many stoop to do this?? PS Is Diego going to be supervising the drug tests on his players in the 2010 world cup??
Complain about this comment
#125:
Cheers mate. I have really enjoyed this discussion as it progressed.
Well, I will agree with you to some extent. Maradona did cheat.
But from what I get from the article by Tim, it is that Maradona was subjected to being cheated at-least as much as he cheated.
I think one has to hold the acts of Maradona in perspective.
I think the drug intake is interesting. Tim makes a point about "God" and all that.
Please bear in mind that we are dealing with probably an immature individual at that time (despite his age).
The fairy (hyperbole at times) tales and the ghosts of 1986 resurfaced and it was too much for Diego. This was, as Tim notes, an important factor in the drug intake as well.
And unlike other forms of PED mis-use, I feel this is different.
So it is not a case like Marion Jones, Ben Johnson, Tim Montgomery whose claim to fame was as a result of PED's.
I think this point was probably getting mixed up in the course of our discussion.
I also feel that Maradona has really suffered a lot personally. In-fact, his own views (after he completely rehabilitated) of his life post-football is very scathing.
Probably, the person who might have wished/hoped all the glory and the associated sycophancy be not on him (which resulted in his downfall) might very well have been Diego Maradona himself.
Just my take that is.
PS: I am off for tonight :-), I will try to join tomorrow.
Complain about this comment
Good article Tim, about time we had a different perspective on the matter. If it had happened against Germany would we be so virulent in labelling him a cheat? Very few players would fail to take advantage, just look at Reading this year.
I also can't help thinking that so many who call him a cheat would also be the ones screaming at the defender to put him in Row Z or similar.
Complain about this comment
Funny how Brazil are labelled as purveyors of the beautiful game and Argentina as cheats, yet I recall Pele's headbutt, Romario's blatant diving in '94, Rivaldo holding his face against Turkey after the ball hit his knee etc etc etc. Brazil have been just as bad as Argentina at their worst, but we never had a war against them have we?
And I saw Lineker deliberately control the ball with his hand scoring a goal for Spurs and not owning up, not to mention the dive against Cameroon, so he wasn't the angel our media made him out to be. We have an option - claim the moral high ground and play fair. But when Owen dived against Argentina in 1998 and 2002 and we didn't condemn him we lost the right to the moral high ground and the continued bile against Maradona is now unjustified.
Complain about this comment
Tim
Thanks for the responses...Your` article is a joy to read and my use of the words , "Irresponsible journalism", I regret. I probably was trying to convince you of the moral fabric I am made of (dry English humor)sarcasm even}. Now looking back, and that we are on a BBC website.By the number and quality of the responses made , it seems your editors can pick a brilliant title, albeit false!..........LOL
Complain about this comment
Tim Vickery seems knowledgeable on South American football. I know little about it so can?t really say for sure. I didn?t find this article particularly good. Pull a few facts together, some historical references to make the youngsters think you know what you?re talking about, throw in some pseudo-analysis then build an article around it. A simple formula which seems to work well for the BBC.
??before the mid-90s clampdown on the sliding tackle. Maradona played the game without the protection from referees that today's stars take for granted.?
I find this generalisation misleading. As an ex-player and ex-referee I would say there is probably more protection from referees in the game today. I generally found sliding tackles fairly predictable as a player. The tackle from behind is the one I found painful. Maybe the clampdown on this type of tackle is the one you had in mind Tim?
?But Peters' frank admission should be enough to destroy any illusions about England having some natural monopoly on the concept of fair play.?
One statement from a striker about a frustrating and crucial world cup qualifier is not enough to destroy my belief that the concept of fair play in English football existed 35 years ago, and still does today. I seem to remember Maradona saying a few years ago that he couldn?t have scored that 2nd goal against any other team other than England, he would have been hacked down before he scored.
The feeling after the game from the people I watched the game with, and the media was that yes, he had conned the ref, it was unsporting, the linesman was also at fault for not spotting it. But his second goal was so amazing that Argentina deserved to win, they were the better team, unlucky. If it had ended 1-0 to Argentina the reaction would probably have been different.
There?s a fine line between cheating and gamesmanship, maybe one?s more blatant than the other. What Pele did was, and still is very common. Is it gamesmanship, professionalism, or cheating? Your view is affected by which team you support, or what you think of the offender. Cheeky Michael Owen draws a penalty in the 2002 world cup for England against Argentina. What was your gut reaction after that game? I am English and I was fine with it, I don?t know why, probably because it wasn?t as blatant as Maradona?s hand ball.
?Maradona unfairly labelled a cheat?, maybe ?blatant cheat? would be fairer.
Complain about this comment
opps, I meant " less protection from referees.."
Complain about this comment
I know Maradona is very unpopular in the UK because of the goal he scored in 1986. But lets be honest here, Argentina was a much better team than Engalnd and they definately deserved the win. Also Maradona scored a historic goal in this game. In my opinion, despite his personal problems, he is the most talented player ever played this game.
Complain about this comment
Tim
I read your blogs every week and genuinely look forward to them. To such an extent that I have recommended them to a friend!
Yet again I think you have put together a top notch blog. However you have made one catastrophic mistake - you have assumed that your average reader will actually know what a blog is! And judging by the responses, not many do....
For anyone to question your journalistic integrity is laughable. They should be embarrased to do so.
For what it's worth, I agree with most of what you say, but do concede that the hand ball was a poor moment for the game given the high profile nature of the incident. However, I have witnessed many a hand ball goal since then, at all levels of the game, and have yet to see anyone stop and say "sorry for cheating". If this had happened in a pre-WC86 friendly would people be so upset?
As for the drug taking, the man made a mistake. The pressure he was (and still is) under cannot be understood by anyone on this planet, such is the reverance that El Diego has from the Argentine public. I could not say that if I was under the same pressure to 'save' my country that I would not also buckle to that pressure. I won't condone his actions, but I will encourage others to try and understand the context surrounding his decions.
No doubt however my comments will be dismissed as yet another post by a "jaundiced Celt" (why jaundiced I don't know - my skin isn't yellow...) by some of the more narrow minded contributors who are incapable of seeing beyond a black and white view of the world.
Complain about this comment
my two cents....
I agree somewhat that Maradona's reputation has been tarnished in this country due to that one spur-of-the-moment incident, the hand-of-god goal.
Basically, that was one of the grossest acts of cheating ever carried out at a World Cup - the pinnacle of global football. On that occasion, he was a cheat, and it is not unjust to say so. Why should England fans have had to pay for just because Maradona was kicked around the pitch by "the butcher of bilbao" in a Spanish league game? I think a distinction needs to be made between violent play, "simulation" (diving), and playing volley ball. It's not just defenders who elbow or stamp on people after all, we can all name a few mercurial strikers who have done the same to poor innocent defenders! And plenty of players have used a sneaky hand to gain an advantage - just not usually in a world cup quarter final.
I think you make a good case for hard-done-by-Maradona, but it was his choice to do what he did and it will never be forgotten. It's a similar situation to Schumacher or Ben Johnson. The sporting achievement will be over shadowed by the means used. Its a black mark and it will be remembered as much as his "other goal"....
And anyway, Maradona is frequently voted one of the best players ever, even in this country, despite how wronged we may have felt and despite him never playing here. He is usually portrayed as a flawed genius and everyone always reminds themselves of the other goal against England in 1986, which, in my humble opinion, is one of the most overrated goals of all time...but thats probably another story... :p
Complain about this comment
You are a Celt though - and your view is coloured, not mine, hence the use of the term jaundiced! If you were impartial as you claim you would simply admit to Maradona being a cheat! Why the big debate? When a Lithuanina dives in the box we know they are a cheat - even against the Scots - so why is it so neurotic when it happens to England??
Complain about this comment
Dear Tim: it is refreshing to realise how many people have get nvolved in evaluating Maradona's way of being/playing.
Even when I do not agree with your assumption that Maradonea/'s reaction was in response to the fact of been treated with comtemp- those are the rules of the game nowadays- I think it was clever of you to put case into context.
In an interview that Maradona gave to an English playerin Buneos Aires, in response to a question on this,very mcuh controverted issue here in England, he explained that to tackle to ball with the hands is common practice in his country(which, by the way, is also mine!)... But, he added, the difficult bit is not to be seeing by the referee...and laughed.
You do well in trying to understand different cultures, and showing respect for other people points of view.
Congratulations and best wishes
Martita criolla
Complain about this comment
post 133 - you praise English fair play, applaud Michael Owen conning a penalty and accuse me of 'pseudo-analysis!' I hope you refereed your games with more consistency!
I tend to think that the main reason Maradona wasn't taken out on the way to that second goal was that Terry Fenwick was on a yellow.
I remember the Brazilian commentary on the Argentina goal that knocked Brazil out of 1990, a Maradona run and slip for Caniggia to score. The commentator kept saying 'why didn't someone take him out?' - people trying to kick him was par for the course.
I am truly baffled that you think today's players are less protected - even more so by the fact you're an ex-ref. You are the first person i've heard express this opinion.
Certainly in South American football there is not the slightest comparison - in this respect TV has done wonders for the game - now everyone sees what goes on, and so the complete free-for-alls that used to be frequent are rare these days. Zizinho, Brazil's outstanding player from the 1950 World Cup (and Pele's idol) once told me that he knew how to break a leg - as did all the greats of his age - it was an essential survival skill.
For the reasons you mentioned the sliding tackle from behind is the most dangerous - but from the side or front can be a breaker as well. I see cards picked up in English football now that would not even have been given as fouls a few years back.
Complain about this comment
Post # 95:
Of course Mexicans are gonna say that about Argentines. Chileans would say the same. You know why? In part because they're jealous. Sickeningly jealous because Argentina always beats them in football. Always.
Curiously, so are Brazilians, and I just don't get it. I was in Brazil during the last world cup and I couldn't believe the anti-Argentinian sentiments. And it's not a mutual thing; not to that extent and I dare anyone to try and prove me otherwise.
Some Argentinians, especially the Portenos (from Buenos Aires) can be a bit arrogant but for the most part Argies are decent, cultivated, and fun-loving people. I prefer the company of Argentinians over the company of any other Latin American.
Plus, their footballers are the best. And the women... classy.
One more thing: Watcht it, Brits, Maradona is gonna slap you silly once again real soon. I'm sure you'll find another self-serving faux-outrage to undermine an undeniable fact: Argies are better at football than you. You're gonna 'ave to ask Mexicans and Chileans to teach you how to cope with your Argie daddy's superiority.
Complain about this comment
Cheers for the column Tim. Must admit to being a big Maradona fan and am very wary of this.
As for the points about cheating. I am Irish and it is well documented that in the 1990 World Cup our captain Mick McCarthy met with the Dutch captain Ronald Koeman in the centre circle when it became obvious that a draw would take both sides through and agreed to play out the game at 1-1. Hardly fair on the Egyptians but I don't recall them being lambasted years later. Maybe they should be, but the point is that these things go on in football.
Also, when Scholes punched the ball in against Poland I remember Ray Wilkins as a tv pundit being asked if he thought it was handball. His response, 'I don't care, it's a goal for England.'
Cheers for the column Tim. Must admit to being a big Maradona fan and am very wary of this but hopes it goes well if just for the incredible young generation (again!) of Argentine players.
Complain about this comment
I?m chuffed you felt the need to respond, thanks.
My intention was not to praise English fair play, I was merely stating my belief that there is an element of fair play inherent in the English game. The point you made about one player in one game did not ?destroy? this belief. I also don?t think Peters was a ?magnificent player?, but that?s just my opinion.
I didn?t find it hard being consistent as a ref. My dad had been a ref too so I thought I?d give it a go. I found it quite straightforward but just didn?t enjoy it as much as playing, so gave it away. I?ve been lucky enough to play in a few countries, only for fun as an amateur, I?ve found the different football cultures and attitudes fascinating. I saw different sides to Gary Lineker and Zico while in Japan!
And I certainly wasn?t applauding Michael Owen for conning a penalty, which I think he did. I was just trying to show how fans feel after the event. I remember Ruud van Nistelrooy a few seasons ago diving to win a penalty against Ipswich, he scored from the spot and Man Utd won 1-0. I?m a Man U fan and I felt like Utd had lost, it was rubbish. Why didn?t I feel like that after England beat Argentina? I don?t know.
Complain about this comment
Well i'm English and have no hard feelings about the "Hand of God" goal, it happened, life's unfair and the second one was such a great goal that it deserved to win the game alone. Plus we've had enough tournaments in the meantime to try to prove that we are deserving of another World Cup but have been shown time and again to simply not be good enough.
I o think he should be rightly castigated for his drug use in the 1994 World Cup, there is no excuse for drug taking to enhance (or even enable) a sporting performance.
I do think the appointment by the AFA is not a great one though, there appeared to be far more proven candidates out there but we never know what will happen. I wouldn't like to see it become too much for Maradona though and have him revert back to his drug problems.
This debate has brought up the far more interesting idea of what people perceive as cheating and what they see as bending the rules. I believe that diving is as much a part of cheating as a handball, no more, no less. You are lying to the referee to gain an advantage.
There have been a few instances in English ootball this season with controversial refereeing decisions, for example the diallowed goal in the Watford game a few months back.
How many of the Reading players in the Watford game were willing to tell the referee that he had mistakenly awarded a goal for their team? It reminds me of the Robbie Fowler incident against Arsenal where he owned up that there should be no penalty, a similar incident of fair play was committed by Paolo Di Canio deliberately catching the ball when he saw the opposing goalkeeper was in trouble from a previous incident. How would these players have been treated had they not played fairly? How is it that these incidents appear to be the exceptions rather than the norm?
Even at the weekend we had the penalty at West Brom. Everyone was saying it's a ridiculous decision because they are never given, when in fact it was the correct decision as the defender was cheating by holding the player back.
I guess Tim's article was along the lines of the culture in Argentina being more accepting of getting away with it, i guess the owness is on the referee to make the right decision, but i believe that the players should help them by being honest. However, human nature often does not allow us to do that...
Complain about this comment
the fact is no one really cares about the hand of god apart from the English.
Others people just laugh at how they can't take the defeat.
WERE ENGLAND THE BETTER TEAM AND DESERVED TO WIN THAT GAME?
It wasn't Maradonas fault that the officials were inept and missed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLcnQcsjvco 1:15 in this video the centre half knees him almost in the head!
Complain about this comment
If we are villifying Maradona for the hand of god incident, should we not crucify Ronaldo for the wink of w***er too? Double standards.
Complain about this comment
"When his career began in the mid-70s it is calculated that players were running an average of around 5,000 metres per game."
what does that have to do with it?
Complain about this comment
Hey Tim great blog as usual.
Yes Maradona's goal was cheating there is no disputing that. But are we really that one-eyed that we will only think of him as a cheat in England and not the great player that he was?
If Lineker had punched the ball in (like he probably should have done from Barnes cross) would we view him in the same light? I doubt it.
It's not these sort of moments we should be worried about in the game. He's instinctively tried something it hasn't been spotted (how, I don't know!) and he get's away with it. Get over it. How is it we never just accept losing? We always complain of being 'robbed' somehow!!
Fooling the ref into giving free kicks, a penalty is just part of the game. And it isn't just restricted to the foreign players as has been mentioned (Gerrard, Owen, etc.). This has been going on for ever, Franny Lee had it down to a fine art!
What really gets to me is the faking of injury to try and get another player sent off. Think Rivaldo in the 2002 World Cup or Henry holding his face when hardly beeing touched by Puyol!! It's just plain embarrasing. How do these guys go home to their kids and explain why daddy rolled around like he'd been hit by Mike Tyson when in reality they had hardly been touched!!
Complain about this comment
after 10mins of extended highlights i hadn't realised quite how much he ripped england apart.
for his solo goal who is the england midfielder who trots back lethargically hoping someone else will tackle him?
Complain about this comment
Dear Tim,
un article parfait...( an excellent article)...
by all means too!
As an Australian/ Lebanese who has been a BIG fan of England since 1980 and couting I totally agree with your article...eventhough I hated the way we lost back in 1986 to the point that I was depressed for 3 days and nealry went without food for that period , I still believe that Maradona is the greatest player football has ever seen ( most probably the greatest player of the game.Period.)
Tim , keep up the good work and don't worry about those who think they know what football is all about!
looking forward to reading your next article ...
cheers mate
Complain about this comment
The responses so far have rightly focused on the main theme of the blog, i.e. Maradona's alleged cheating.
There is a non-moral sub-theme, however, which hasn't been raised yet. Tim Vickery mentions in passing that Maradona would not be his choice as coach of Argentina - not for any perceived moral inadequacy, but otherwise he doesn't elaborate since that would take him off-topic.
My take on it is this - that the appointment will probably be a disaster. He is arguably the most naturally talented individual who ever graced a football pitch, and therein lies the problem. As good (and sometimes great - such as Messi) as they are, his players are simply not on his planet. He doesn't have the coaching experience to get - by his ethereal standards - average international footballers to play successful football. Whilst one might insist that Maradona has overcome his personal demons whereas my forthcoming analogy hasn't, in coaching terms it would still be frighteningly similar to handing the England job to Gazza. Tim credits the fellow for having the guts to give it a go (I suppose he'd have to support McLaren by the same logic), but for me the likely outcome it is tarnishing of a unique reputation, by failing not on a moral or personal level but in footballing terms.
Complain about this comment
It's strange that people still rant about the 'hand of god" but nobody mentions Paul Scholes (against Zenit) and numerous other Enlish players who did exactly the same thing.
Complain about this comment
This old idea of British Fair Play is the biggest load of cobblers out there.
"British Fair Play" has historically consisted in invading someone else's country, and then saying "steady on old chap" when they protest.
The footballing equivalent being to boot seven bells out of an opposition player, and then complain when they use their superior skill and intelligence to get the better of you.
People (well, English people) often forget that Maradona's "Hand of God" goal - as well as showcasing the great man's wit - was a feat of prodigious athleticism. Maradona - at all of five foot five - comfortably outjumped Shilton. It was, indeed, a metaphor for Argentina's effortless schooling of a leaden and inferior England team.
Argentina richly deserved their win that day. They were clearly the better team. And Maradona simply showed he was what everyone knew already - the finest footballer on the face of the planet.
Terry Fenwick, who was he?
Oh yes, some lumpen bruiser who once had the honour to have "touched" the greatest footballer on earth.
Complain about this comment
I agree Tim...two wrongs DO make a right!
Bring back capital punishment.
But seriously...
Most people are somewhat bored with 20 years of every englishman saying....
"Argentina is one of my favourite football teams"
"Maradona is the best player ever"
"The second goal in that game is the best ever" (as every english poll seems to show)
My Argentinian mates are always highly embarrassed when finding out the truth about the fairness of opinion here. Tim's blog is just an extension of a general consensus.
So the general conclusion, of the blog replies, is that foreign press (or paranoia) has some way to go to read the minds of most englishmen...or provide any sort of truth about our characteristics...we're not YOU.
Good on all the Brits on here for not grouping millions of people into one word like many foreign posters on here. It shows the vast difference in bigotry levels.
Complain about this comment
Maradonna did cheat and that should never be condoned, nether should poor officiating. Having said that Shilton should never have allowed Maradonna to get anywhere near the ball, especially with his height and weight advantage.
Complain about this comment
Guys,
If you go back and see him playing in 86.
Atleast I turn to stone everytime I see him playing, either it is south korea, ENG, belgium, italy in the WC, man o man o man ...
how come someone can be of this caliber ? you see him using his left foot and everytime you will wonder where did God send him from !!!
I am so so lucky to have lived in his time ... Skill that is of unmatched proportion !!! lets just dont deny this and if you want to keep criticising the personal life of the greatest talent the world has ever seen sure please go ahead ...
Complain about this comment
Quite a few people have mentioned the hypocrisy of some England fans calling him a cheat, when they're happy to turn a blind eye to elbows, bad challenges, diving and the like form their own team.
"But no England player would ever put the ball in the net with his hand" is the retort.
Sorry, complete rubbish and let's nail it as such once and for all.
Dennis Wise, on his debut for England away to Turkey in May 1991 scored his only goal for England in a Euro 1992 qualifier; anyone remember it? Probably not many - it was a really scrappy goal where the ball was loose near the goal line and Wise kinda fell over forwards and helped the ball in with his hand.
The similarity with Maradona's goal continued in the way Wise responded with a jokey reference to god when asked about it. In a post match interview he was asked, "Exactly what part of your body did the ball come off, Dennis?" He replied, "Gawd knows!"
Dennis Wise was called lots of things throughout his career, but a cheat because of that incident; or any moral outrage at a player scoring an illegal goal with his hand and not admitting it? None whatsoever that I recall.
Although they wouldn't admit it, for some people, their problem with Maradona is not that he cheated per se, but that he cheated AGAINST England.
FWIW, as an Englishman I WAS gutted at the time that Maradona's goal in '86 wasn't disallowed as it should have been. But my frustration was directed as much at the officials who should have seen it.
Complain about this comment
This is absolutely hilarious. Maradona handballed the ball into the net against against England which was an isolated incident of cheating but to label him specifically as a cheat is absolutely rediculous.
You see handballs every week in the Premiership and players don't admit to them. You see players scoring from offside positions every week (when they know they are offside) and not admitting it. You see players hacking others down or diving when they haven't been touched and not admitting it. If Maradona was simply a cheat so is every player in the Premiership. The differance is that Maradona was also a far superior player to every single one of those Premiership players.
Complain about this comment
you forgot about the drugs or is taking drugs not cheating ?
Complain about this comment
I agree with your point.Cheating has been happening and as you say Maradonna has beenat the receiving end many times .When he played for Barcelona in the early eighties and during the World Cup 1992 when Gentile from Italy treated him and proudly said to him that football is a man's sport.
Tolerance was different then.There is a vodeo from the 1974 WC semi final between Brasil and Holland when at the end one Brasilian fouls and virtually throws a Dutchman over the adverts stands .He does get a red card and Brasilian Captain Rivelino was just about to assault the referee .(they should at least be arrested ).
Maradona did a lot of things wrong.There is a rumour that the drug thing in Napoli was also used by the board in order to cancel his expensive contract.Drugs has the bad name but I think there are more alcoholics in football and in general that drug addicts.I am not going to mention names but it has been kept well quiet about alcoholic footballers,managers etc.This is also considered as a man's thing.
Complain about this comment
Maradona did take a lot of punishment as a player but he also regularly cheated. Not just the handball at Mexico 86' but the handball in the Uefa Cup Final 89 and his drug taking at USA 94. And what about kicking the poor elderly kit man of Athletic Bilbao!
His Argentina team also got to the final in 1990 after one of their coaches had given Brazilian player Branco tranquilisers!!!
Puskas, Pele, Cruyff, Zidane etc all behaved badly at times but Maradona's bad behaviour was as constant as his brilliance.
He won only a moderate amount in his 10 years in Europe. Compare two Scudetto's and a UEFA Cup to Di Stefano's achievements and it is pretty clear who the greatest Argentinan footballer was.
Unquestionably he was one of the greats but perhaps if he had a better personality he would have challenged Pele's crown as the greatest.
Complain about this comment
There are some here who still seem to want to whine about the goal. "Cryin white tears" for example says he "never admitted it". Apparently that is what upsets him the most. Well, he did. Watch Linekar's interview with him. Maradona, when asked by Linekar about the handball, laughs and admits it. He says that he did ahdle it but that in Argentina, this is acceptable. Maybe not fair play, but he did it, the referees missed it and then he went on to score the greatest goal ever. He was a masterful (in my view, best ever) footballer and the fact that, from a stellar career, some petty, hypocritical people choose to focus on that one incident is pathetic.
Complain about this comment
Yeah, no surprise in Vickery's defence of the defenceless. I'mafraid Vickery is a so-called Englishman that has lived in South America too long and gone native, those defending him and his comments are also people who lack patriotism in their country and know little about the spirit of football.
Maradona was a cheat and a disgrace to football, which typifies South American and Argentian football in particular. I agree with the guy above who says that Vickery is clutching at straws in his defence of Maradona and the Argies and trying to besmerch the good name of Martin Peters and question the integirty of English football in an attempt to defend Maradona's cheating and trying to draw parellels between English football and Argentinian football in terms of integrity is simply a disgrace.
Complain about this comment
Sure the guy's a cheat for that handball, but it's no different to the ridiculous diving that Owen & Gerrard have done to get penalties. Until these are properly punished it will always go on.
The person who should shoulder much of the blame for that 1st goal is Shilton, hand of god or whatever there's no way he should have been out jumped by Maradona.
Without that goal, the 2nd wonder goal wouldn't have happened nor England's late fightbacj when they so nearly levelled matters.
Complain about this comment
Cheating is cheating. Maradona was one of the greatest, if not the greatest footballer ever. This still doesn't take away the fact that the goal was cheating.
For the record, the Premiership in particular and English football in general have suffered a moral decline in the past 20 or so years and now there is cheating from the first whistle until the (delayed by time wasting) final whistle. It has got to the point now where it's acceptable to cheat as Maradona did for this goal. It's also acceptable to dive or to feign injury to get an opponent sent off and give your team an advantage. If only video evidence was used retrospectively to give yellow cards for this we could drive cheating out of the game. Realistically this would never happen because the top players would forever be banned.
Complain about this comment
i think thats the most enjoyable read of your blog i've ever had tim and i've been enjoying the articles for the last few years.
i am amazed by the level of bitterness towards the man. i remember reading a comment by joe lovejoy in the times when they had a segment listing the greatest footballers of all time. he did'nt include maradona because of his past as a drug cheat!
the hand of god goal could have been scored by anyone as something like that is an instinctive act and for people to try to tarnish his whole career by focusing on this act is ludicrous. i think peter beardsley pointed out that everyone should just cherish the second goal he scored that day.
people are always quick to point out the argentine cheat in football though are'nt they.
likewise people were quick to condemn robert pires for rightful reasons over a ludicrous dive against pompey some years ago.
its strange that people tend not to recall rooneys' equally outrageous fall that led to the end of arsenals 49 game unbeaten run.
cheats? none of those born of these shores!
best of luck diego, i'd love nothing more than to see you lead an argentine bus party after the final in 2010!
Complain about this comment
For all the outraged Englanders,I seem to remember England's best midfielder of the last ten years being sent off in Monaco for Manchester United after trying to punch the ball into the net against Zenit.
Paul Scholes anyone?
You're all just bitter that Diego got away with it!He did seal the game by beating your whole team including Shilton remmeber haha
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I'm not sure I can think of a single incident in England football's history where you can honestly say, "That was out-and-out cheating."
----------
Laughable. It happens all the time, open your eyes!
Complain about this comment
Terry Fenwick was only handing out what the little cheat deserved, shame it didnt do more damage, but have to admit was a great player.
-----------------
This is the comment of someone who doesn't actually like football.
Complain about this comment
At the end of the day Maradona socred a goal, with his hand to put Argentina on the road to world cup victory. It was probably the most blatant act of cheating in a world cup finals match ever. English players are no angels at times as Fenwick's actions showed, but I don't think they would stoop to that level and I don't think the English public would be proud of them if they did. Only Argentina fans or bitter Scots, trading on someone elses success against England as usual can fail to see it this way. That doesn't change the fact that Maradona was arguably the greatest footballer ever but the reality is he will also forever be regarded as a cheat.
Complain about this comment
As has been mentioned by all previously, a really good blog Tim, and once again, very eloquently put.
I find myself agreeing with all that you put, but it doesn't stop me detesting Maradonna for that one piece of blatant CHEATING! BUT!...He was an absolutely superb footballer, arguably the best the world has ever seen to date.
There are a few pretenders to the throne; Rooney: he has the balance, can use both feet, a blistering shot, guile and good in the air, but sometimes, only sometimes, the ball seems too available to defenders, unlike DM, when the ball, quite literally, looked stuck to his foot. Messi comes close also, but doesn't look for the ball as much as DM used to, he just expects the ball to come to him. As far as Dribbling goes, the closest we have to DM's ability is Christiano Ronaldo, but as brilliant as he can be, he spoils everything by his constant going to ground, again, cheating, trying to blag the ref (I'm a huge Man Utd fan, but can't stand the fella, but a big thank you to him for last season).
There are many others who have a couple of DM's attributes but not all, and yes they have all cheated once or twice(?) before, but as an English man and a bigger England fan than Utd fan, it does rile me that he did this heinous deed against England, and yes, it does infuriate me probably more because I am English and because it was against England ( re:gronkj?r's wayward cross) but this blog is not posted on a Spanish or Italian or German or Argentine Web site. Having played football myself I can fully appreciate how "brilliant" DM was, but that one thing....Grrrrr..you've opened old wounds Tim..Hehe.
I think, and a few England supporters might tend to agree here, that had he admitted it (re: cryin' white tears), not necessarily straight after the game, but since, it might sit a tad easier in the memory...but as he didn't, hasn't and sticks to this godawful infuriating "creators assistance" palm off, then it will always be a massive blot amongst the memories of this footballing genius.
I love football, the drama, the highs and lows of being a team supporter but I can't stand CHEATING and all that the word means in footballing terms.
But hey, it gets us talking eh? Cheers Tim
Good luck everybody for your team's next game.
Complain about this comment
post 138 - tonycains
How exactly is my view coloured? Being a Celt (or Scot) doesn't necessarily mean that I hate all things England! It is this narrow minded view on the world that I was referring to in my first post!!!
I feel that my views (and those of my fellow Celts) are just as relevant to yours as at least our views are not, in the main, coloured by one particular incident against our country and can take a step back and see the man for what he is - a man who made a number of mistakes in his life but who also took the game to a whole new level, and put in performances that were a joy to behold.
I would much rather have had the pleasure to watch Maradona than not. The man deserves the status of arguably the greatest player in the game regardless of some of the incidents in his career, and certainly not because he happened to get away with a handball which the referee and his linesmen did not spot.
(on that note, I notice very few if any of our correspondents have blamed the officials, rather they have decided that it is all that bad man Diegos fault)
Complain about this comment
Me thinks you have been in South America far too long, Tim. 1994 isn't it, all be it Brazil.
Maradonna's a cheat, and a drug-addled one at that. Still, there's no doubt he will get a heroes welcome in sad embittered Scotland.
Mikey T. Cardiff
Complain about this comment
(on that note, I notice very few if any of our correspondents have blamed the officials, rather they have decided that it is all that bad man Diegos fault)
The officials involved will always be blamed by England fans, but it was ultimately bad man Diego who decided to score with his hand and then deceitfully wheel away in celebration. The officials are guilty of incompetance, Maradona is guilty of cheating.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
English players are no angels at times as Fenwick's actions showed, but I don't think they would stoop to that level and I don't think the English public would be proud of them if they did.
-------------------
What strange planet do you live on where a cheeky handball is considered a worse offence than violently and deliberately elbowing an opponent in the face? If Fenwick had done that away from a football pitch he would have been convicted of assault.
Complain about this comment
Your comments seem to ignore the fact that Maradona is not just a cheat but a drug cheat. Did lack of refereeing protection cause him to take ephedrine at the 1994 World Cup? Resulting in his being booted out. It is fashionable for certain commentators to show how cosmopolitan they are by dismissing his blatant cheating against England ( amongst others) but they all seem to gloss over the fact that he is (just to remind you) a drug cheat aswell and that must colour all his achievements .
Complain about this comment
Great Blog - I'm glad someone has finally got the b@lls to stick up for the most skillfull footballer ever, in my opinion anyway.
Maradona was, is and will always be the player I would choose to watch anytime, anyplace, anywhere (to coin a phrase).
I have around half a dozen videos of argentina \ maradona during his era and am still in awe of the mans football talent.
Due to this and games I have watched on television, I can categorically state that his oponents attempted to constantly cheat him in any way they could to stop the little genius doing damage to their teams. This is part of his attraction to me because he got up from 'assaults' and just got on with the job of destroying them and, on occassion, making them look like the fools they were.
In the 1986 game against Belgium he beat 3 or 4 men (who were just lashing out at him), scored, then managed to keep his balance when going at full tilt. Just about any player nowadays would have been down screaming and clutching some part of their body at the first attempted 'tackle'. He could never be classed as a 'diver' in the context of todays game.
I also have to say that had the 'hand of god' goal been scored against anyone else, we wouldn't be talking about it now.
After watching over 35 years of football, I must have seen a hundred goals scored against International, English, Scottish and European teams by an attackers hand. It's mentioned in the aftermatch analysis, in the newspapers next day then forgotten about.
I also noticed some 'moon man' saying his second was an own goal ? What were you smoking mate ? That IS the best World Cup goal EVER ! Also,no other football player in history has done more in any World Cup to win it for their country - FACT. Argentina with a few exceptions would have been, at best, quarter finalists without him (probably not even that). Remember - THIS WAS A WORLD CUP, not a Johstone's Paint Trophy.
Finally, get your money on Argentina for the next World Cup because if anyone's presence in a dressing room can motivate an aready excellent side, it has to be MARADONA.
Complain about this comment
You know what astounds me about this?
All players cheat, and most always have. everytime a player appeals for a throw when he knows he put the ball out, he is cheating.
they all do it. and yet we seem to thing that diving is the only form of cheating in the game. well, it isnt.
as for maradona, great player, tainted legacy (due to the failed Drug test)
Hope he is a success as Argentina's coach, but he may be unsackable anyway
Complain about this comment
sorryluvfootballson
The closest to Diego Maradona's ability is Lionel Messi, not Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo can take a ball past one or two players, whereas Messi can run rings around a whole team. Messi performs on the big occassions, Ronaldo disappears. And before you mention it, scoring a goal in the Champions League final does not mean you've performed on the big occassion.
In terms of dribbling - Have you seen Messi's goal against Getafe? That was no fluke. Could you imagine Ronaldo doing the same thing? - I think not.
Another thing...Rooney is a fantastic footballer, but he is nothing compared to the brilliance of Diego Mardona and never will be, simply because he does not have the natural ability the Great Argentine had.
Complain about this comment
The closest to Diego Maradona's ability is Lionel Messi, not Cristiano Ronaldo.
-----------------
Yes, exactly. Ronaldo isn't even in the top 10 dribblers currently playing, comparing him to Maradona is a departure from reality.
Complain about this comment
Look closer to home England fans, Steven Gerrard's dive against Hungary? Handball, dive - both forms of cheating are they not? Nobody is calling Steven Gerrard a cheat.
Complain about this comment
RE COMMENT 168,
IS SOMEONE GOING TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW EXACTLY THAT BROKE HOUSE RULES?
Complain about this comment
maradonna deliberatly handled the ball
end of story
not a lot else to say about the chap really
his actions speak for themselves
Complain about this comment
Why the hypocracy....
I totally agree with the notion that Maradonna did what he had to. and there is no harm in that.
If you think we live in an ideal world where good deads can be done in isolation without considering what is thrown back at you then you are just conning yourself. Our problem is that when it comes to our own self we have a totally emotional view of the situation and we are able to justify even the most horrible deeds. but when it is about others then we are the epitome of jutice and as cold blooded as you can. Who said the world is fair? besides what is just for one man is totally rediculous for another. the competition is cut throat. Establishments as always are still turning against the poeple. the whole concept of idealism is being raped by vested interest and people here have nerve to say 'What is worng is wrong we should do the right thing' When being right will only make you laugh of the town.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
There's no hypocrisy here. When has an England player ever cheated in the manner that Maradona did that day?
Complain about this comment
Excellent article, adding some very good perspective. He was a great player, and a much abused one at that. One can only imagine the height's he'dve reached in the modern climate.
Imagine, if Peter Shilton could actually jump higher than 2 inches, then the Hand of God would never have been an issue. Also with regards the elbow to the face by Fenwick, well you wouldn't have seen Alvin Martin (replaced by Fenwick) stooping to such depths!
Complain about this comment
Nothing to do with anything, but my favourite sports photo of all time is the one from 86 (I think) with Maradona surrounded by maybe six or seven incoming Belgian defenders - and every one of them still looks terrified....
Even a Sopranos reference now Tim - is there no end to this man's talents? But isn't it time you put your head on the block - who's going to win (or in other words who is the least bad...) the Brasilerao? I have a sinking feeling it will be Muricy, Rogerio and co. again...please no.....
Complain about this comment
There's no hypocrisy here. When has an England player ever cheated in the manner that Maradona did that day?
---------------
Paul Scholes recently punched the ball and was sent off.
The point is that, by the laws of the game, English players cheat often - Owen, Gerrard, Rooney, Shearer, Cole etc etc - but many English fans are hilariously hypocritical and only complain when 'foreigners' do it.
Plus BY FAR the worst piece of cheating in that quarter final was the Fenwick elbow - the act of a talent-free & violent plodder trying to stop the most gifted player of all time from playing football.
Complain about this comment
by comparison we have steven taylor's handball against villa to save a goal - he then writhed around on the floor as if he'd been shot...
or gerrard and owen - who've both conned refs...
or scotland (i forget the player) with a defender saving with his hand (was it against brazil?)
all those idiots who say 'he cheated, end of story' are disregarding the fact that in ANY team, at ANY level, there will be someone who'd do the same, even if they don't know it. this includes english teams. even in my uni team we had a forward who dove - obviously - and got congratulated for it. these comments come from people who have nevr played the game.
Complain about this comment
After watching over 35 years of football, I must have seen a hundred goals scored against International, English, Scottish and European teams by an attackers hand.
Name me one other occassion when this has happened in international football, to a British side? Hundreds!!! I can't think of one.
oto compare a player diving like Gerrard or Owen have on occassions with what Maradona did is an unequal comparison.
Complain about this comment
'When has an England player ever cheated in the manner that Maradona did that day?'
steven taylor handball vs villa
owen diving against argentina (and a couple of others)
and i know he's not english but after being here for 25 years he's close. look at roy keane's tackle on haaland! now is that better or worse than maradona's foul?
Complain about this comment
But messisgod you miss the point. Yes England players have been known to bend the rules, all footballers do. But NEVER in a way as blatant and shameful as Maradonna did that day. Furthermore he was proud of what he did and so where the Argentinian public. The same was true with Batistuta's cheating antic years later.
Complain about this comment
Mate, great blog. In the heat of the modern game I've never seen it from that perspective, which is rare in this world (and website) of predictable blog drivel. Keep it up!
Complain about this comment
oto compare a player diving like Gerrard or Owen have on occassions with what Maradona did is an unequal comparison.
--------------
Owen dived, ridiculously, on 2 different occasions against Argentina in 2 different World Cups - he openly and unashamedly cheated. And Owen had no excuses, he wasn't a footballing genius being assaulted by hatchetmen all his career.
Get a sense of perspective - a handball is nothing like as bad as the Thatcher foul on Mendes or Guthrie's assault on a fellow player. Those are just 2 examples from recent Premier League history - both are BEYOND ARGUMENT worse offences than what Maradona did.
The stench of hypocrisy on here...
Complain about this comment
At the end of the day the only people who are praising this blog are either Argentinian fans or Scots, so your opinion holds no value. Maradona cheated, therefore he is regarded as a cheat, a great player to but a cheat all the same. I'd also add that Fenwick is generally regarded in England as having been a mediocre defender at best and a dirty player as well.
Complain about this comment
Messisgod you still fail to acknowledge the difference between a dive and between the behaviour of Maradona.
You also forget to mention that Owen's dive in France 98 came 4 minutes after Argentina had cheated a penalty themselves through diving. I personally hate to see England dive or cheat, however I make an exception against a team as dishonest as Argentina. To be honest if we don't stoop to their level we will lose the game, so have little choice. Essentially Argentina brought us down to their level.
Complain about this comment
As a player Maradona did cheat, he did take drugs and he was an exceptional talent. He was the perfect example of the flawed genius. His managerial record to date speaks volumes, 3 wins in 24 games. With the abundance of quality managers from Argentina why have AFA taken such a gamble?
Responses to a few of the other comments:
1) People who confuse Maradona with Madonna by calling him "Maradonna" are invalidating their own opinions.
2) Maradona did not win the 86 World Cup single handed. He was undoubtedly their best player but without team mates like Valdano, Burrucharga, Batista and Brown on his side they probably would've got nowhere near. George Best never even played in a World Cup for want of better team mates.
3) If the "British" (English surely) are so bitter about Maradona, why did his 2nd goal in that game get voted goal of the century by us a few years back?
4) Selected players that can legitimately be compared with Maradona: Pele, Cruyff, Di Stefano possibly Best and Charles from the UK. People comparing Rooney are even further wide of the mark than those that would compare Scholes with Riquelme.
Complain about this comment
Messisgod you still fail to acknowledge the difference between a dive and between the behaviour of Maradona.
--------------------------
I will acknowledge the difference if you will acknowledge that in the grand scheme of football history Maradona's handball is nowhere near the worst offence. It isn't even anything like the worst cheating seen in a WC. In fact I think if that match had been against anyone other than England I don't think so many people would still be whining about it. Look at France: Schumacher openly ASSAULTED Batiston, coming quite close to actually killing him. The 2 have since made up and I doubt many French football fans still go on about it.
Complain about this comment
I wonder if all the Scots commenting on this article feel the same way about the Uruguayan team of the same World Cup who basically cheated their way through to the second round.
Complain about this comment
Forget his second the 1st was a gr8 header - from the picture it's hard to imagine how he got to it!
;-)
Complain about this comment
Messiisgod, I would say that Maradona's offence was probably the worst act of cheating, and what makes it so was the shameful way in which he celebrated the goal afterwards. Lets be honest you can understand the impulse that he had to score with his hand in a massive game against a hated rival. But the moment he then wheeled away and celebrated the goal in way he did he became a reknowned cheat for life and deservedly so and this is why I object to the title of this blog. As it happens I'd say Schumacher's behavior is probably up there as well, however he didn't get his hands on the cup at the end of it all.
Complain about this comment
Messiisgod, I would say that Maradona's offence was probably the worst act of cheating, and what makes it so was the shameful way in which he celebrated the goal afterwards. Lets be honest you can understand the impulse that he had to score with his hand in a massive game against a hated rival. But the moment he then wheeled away and celebrated the goal in way he did he became a reknowned cheat for life and deservedly so and this is why I object to the title of this blog. As it happens I'd say Schumacher's behavior is probably up there as well, however he didn't get his hands on the cup at the end of it all.
-------------
Sorry, simply wrong. No-one is saying Maradona didn't cheat, but in the history of football many, many players have cheated.
Schumacher's behaviour was at least 10 times worse - his behaviour actually endangered the life of a fellow professional!!
Complain about this comment
Sorry, simply wrong. No-one is saying Maradona didn't cheat, but in the history of football many, many players have cheated.
Schumacher's behaviour was at least 10 times worse - his behaviour actually endangered the life of a fellow professional!!
Scumacher's behaviour was disgraceful, no argument from me there. And I've acknowledged that in football many players cheat and have cheated. However, Maradona's actions that day were totally dishonest and contemptable and he never showed any contrition, even years later. You can say I'm 'wrong' if you like but your argument clearly has no basis as you are totally biased.
Complain about this comment
Scumacher's behaviour was disgraceful, no argument from me there. And I've acknowledged that in football many players cheat and have cheated. However, Maradona's actions that day were totally dishonest and contemptable and he never showed any contrition, even years later. You can say I'm 'wrong' if you like but your argument clearly has no basis as you are totally biased.
-----------------
I'm not being biased, I'm being reasonable. Has Owen ever apologised for his diving? Has Gerrard? Has Rooney? Has Fenwick apologised for his assault? How many times has any player said afterwards "OK, I was wrong, I'm sorry"?
Maradona was no angel, but there aren't many in professional sport.
Complain about this comment
The article seems to suggest we shouldn't label Maradona a cheat due to the fact so many other sportspeople cheat.
This is a very twisted view indeed. Surely all sportspeople who have cheated to gain an advantage are cheats?
It is hard for people to accept the fact that people cheat in order to get what they want, particularly when they are idolised as honest sporting legends. BUT THEY ARE CHEATS NONTHELESS.
I'm fairly confident that all sportspeople will have bent the rules illegally to gain an advantage at one time or another. I know I have. It will probably always happen and it is not right or moral to do so of course, (no matter whether you have suffered previously as a result of cheating), but this does not mean we should attempt to justify cheating or accept it.
Whilst it frustrates me that sportspeople cheat, it is understandable (although certainly not acceptable). I am enraged further when they do not see it as a unfair and wrong in hindsight. At the very least they should admit to their actions.
Maradona does not appear to see his previous actions as cheating never mind admitting it. This goes for numerous others (Drogba, Ronaldo, Pele, Roy Carrol - Tottenham-Man U involving Mendes' shot, Fernando Gonzalez - Olympic tennis against Blake, and many more).
This fact needs to be accepted, anything else is clearly just moral fallacy and a denial of the reality within sport and of the truth regarding our idolised sporting greats.
Complain about this comment
I notice all the hysterical contributors on this blog who have asked for an example of an Englishman cheating in such a way have went deathly silent since the Steven Taylor incident was brought up.
Does this not count?
Comment 202 - the Uruguay game was of course disappointing for Scotland but if you ask anyone here, we will all say that it was our own teams shortcomings that stopped us progressing rather than the opposition. There is very little bitterness towards a team of "cheats" as you infer, mainly due to the fact that it happened over 20 years ago!
We've moved on.
Complain about this comment
Thank you Tim,
I think in this article you have made a few English fans realize that they flogging a dead donkey. The first point is that they we can never understand South American football because of its social implications. We do not live in slums with no chance of an education. Football is their life, in England 98% of us go to a job on Monday.
Some of you, thanks to Tim's article seem to have let the 'hand of God' go, but then have labeled him a cheat for his drug addiction. Drug addiction is a serious illness and the real cheats are the ones who offered a 17 year old boy who was brought up with no money, in a shack, received no education and was given bundles of cash and the address of the local drug dealer. Who are the real sinners?
Complain about this comment
Has Alan Green seen this article? He never actually comments on matches any more, just prattles on about diving and crowds leaving early or getting back late. If he get's to see this he'll have a fit!!!!
Complain about this comment
Well done Tim Vickery for raising this incredibly important subject. However, I am astonished at your viewpoint, apparently excusing cheating as an acceptable way of getting what you want from life. I?m even more bewildered at the amount of messages which seem to agree with you.
Cheating, simulating and fouling are all illegal under FIFA rules. Just like in life, rules are there for a reason because without them we would have anarchy and mayhem. Of course, people and footballers all over the world cheat, including England, but with one major difference. Whatever the motivation or cultural difference, some countries cheat habitually whereas in Britain it?s always been more opportunistic. Yes, it?s a fact that in some parts of the world cheating is a way of life because they?ve had to simply to survive, and this belief unfortunately filters down into their football. As a qualified F.A. coach and also someone who has spent the last 20 years living in various parts of the world, this cultural difference in the way we approach football is clear.
However, there is no excuse for breaking the rules of football, ever! A cheat is a cheat and a foul is a foul. Just because so many more players are now doing it, doesn?t make it right or acceptable. The football authorities and referees? associations are there to police the game. It is their responsibility to do that and each individual culture?s responsibility to bestow the best and most honest virtues both in football and in life onto our youngsters before we completely ruin ?Our beautiful game?.
Does anyone agree with me?
Complain about this comment
Diego Maradona will always be regarded as one of the best players ever to grace a football pitch. Indeed, he rode tackles that would have the likes of van Persie, van Nistelrooy and Christiano Ronaldo rolling around like they had been shot by a sniper. His stocky frame, unlamented talent for keeping the ball attached to his left foot like it was on a string, is unsurpassed to this day. If Diego was still playing today, how much do you think he would be worth? C Ronaldo is supposedly worth an astromical amount of money. For what? Diving? Greg Louganis must be worth millions then. Leave Diego alone. Legend then, legend now. Welcome back, Diego.
Complain about this comment
The argies had a player sent off in '66 for looking ugly, England went on to win. They got over it. You get over it
Complain about this comment
I think you're spot on Tim. Maradonna is a cheat but there's alot of other cheats out there, including England players.
Who can forget Danny Mills getting Ronaldinho sent off for nothing in a recent World Cup? No one seems to remember that. Funny isn't it how England fans have selective memory.
The truth is, lots of players cheat. Cheating may well be more prevalent in South America as it's a cultural thing, but I've seen lots of European players cheat too.
Let's not justify Maradonna cheating by saying everyone else does it. Cheating is cheating and you can only take the moral high ground if you don't do it.
Personally I never cheated but that's because I played for fun, not to win "at all costs". Sadly because of this attitude (and the vast money in the game) cheat will become more and more frequent.
It's a pity England fans only remember him for that handball. The other goal in that game was truly "magnificent" as Barry Davies reluctantly admitted at the time...
Complain about this comment
i think a lot of people are misled by this blog.
no one is doubting that the hand of god cheated england.
the argument is more so against those who solely wish to define maradona on the basis of this act.
its part of football history, let it go and cast a fair judgement on the player and the man.
Complain about this comment
Here go,s my first Blog.....
After 40 odd years of admiring Argentinian football for the often sublime level of skill, not the deliberate cheating, the Argentinian FA have reduced their national team to bit part players in the cheap and nasty soap opera that surrounds Maradona. I can no longer take Argentinian football seriously.
ALL players of competitive football 'cheat' to some extent but I cannot recall a more desparately pathetic instance, witnessed on a world wide stage, enacted by a world class sportsman, who reduced that game to a farce. Then he had the gall to invoke 'God' as some sort of justification! Anyone with a respect for Football must have placed an enormous question mark over Maradona's morality as soon as they saw the TV replay. Does anyone know if international football managers are 'dope' tested?
There then, feeling much better now!
Complain about this comment
Great blog, terrible title.
He is a cheat, as was Joe Jordan in 1977, Michael Owen in 1998, Rio Ferdinand in 2003...
The list goes on and the above are just the ones the media have talen a keener interest in than others.
It's moot to discuss how English fans would have reacted had the hand of God been against Germany, as it's moot to try and differentiate grades of cheating. Any deliberate attempt to gain an advantage by deception or foul play is by definition cheating.
That said the article does provide a timely reminder to fans and the media alike how much of a survivor and how thick-skinned the wee man is. He's going to need it taking the rudder of a team who the English media like to portay as sub-human ,hand-bag toting jessies.
Only criticism of the blog is that by omitting to raise the drug issue as even an aside, it allows the naysayers room to rebut.
Complain about this comment
I actually think that 99% of English football fans ackowledge the genius of Maradona and outside of these shores I don't think he is defined by it as such, people remember the other goal from that game far more in fact. However, it is understandible that he is remembered for that incident in England, after all it prevented England from winning a trophy in one of the best oppurtunites they have had since 66.
Complain about this comment
At the end of the day Maradonna did all that was necessary for his country to progress. Its not like he couldn't have scored anyway (and did later) but his passion dictated that he progress no matter what.
It's the same passion that allows England fans to maintain that the ball crossed the line in 66 (which it didn't) (or for that matter my father and brother to maintain that Enckleman didn't touch the ball from that throw-in against Birmingham and so the own-goal didn't count (which it does)).
Football is a passionate game and when players become passionate they will do whatever is necessary for their club or country. I do not blame Maradonna for the handball and nor do I blame him for not owning up to it. All I ask is that when Rooney dives for a penalty or Terry goes in a little harder than necessary that he excepts that its part of the game when playing for your national side
Complain about this comment
Nice article and interesting to a point but how many mid fielders and defenders of opposing teams forced Maradonna to take ephadrine ???
Looks as if it is a flaw in Maradonnas character rather than an attempt by him to redress the balance.
Complain about this comment
English fans believe that they have the only team that does not commit any wrong doings and cry and moan when anyone else infringes the laws of the game. That WC 1986 game was a triumph for Maradonna for the infamous La Mano de Dios and equally for the famous Goal of the Century after Diego routed the entire England defence.
Subsequently the drama over his weight and drug abuse filled the tabloids with a figure of ridicule, although secretly I imagine that many English footie fans could relate to a former star self-destructing.
Maradonna is a football legend, not just a great player, not a big money signing and now has a chance to prove that once more he is capable of greatness.
Complain about this comment
Cheating is cheating. It's not right.
A phenomenal player though and in my opinion the best ever. His skill was amazing.
Complain about this comment
those who say 'a gentleman footballer would take the kicks on the chin'like Heskey are missing the point that in those days the kicks were the sort of fouls that get players four-match bans for now
they're the reason that Van Basten had to retuire at the age of 27 - literally kicked out of the game.
and to the muppet you says 'Gerrard never punched the ball into the net', well, no, but on more than one occasion he has implanted his studs on the inside thigh of opponents. how is that bette than a handball.
anyway, surely we're missing the point that the referee was to blame as he missed such a blatant handball
You all need to get off your high horses and realise than many many players have done far worse things on a football field, just not against England
GET OVER IT (and yes, I am English)
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The anti-English bile on here is incredible. No England fan has come on and said he wasn't an amazing player but he cheated to help get us knocked out of a major tournament. Should we not be abit annoyed by this? No England player has ever done anything that bad to knock another country out of a a tournament before (the Steven Taylor example is laughable by the way. He wasn't trying to get away with what he did, he knew he'd be punished and was)
Many South Americans complain about English football, the physical side etc, saying it isn't the 'right' way to play the game, but did Argentina win the 'right' way that day in 86 then?
Complain about this comment
You can't blame the player for the ref's mistake. Call it cheating or whatever you want, but committing a foul isn't necessarily cheating. Is it cheating every time a defender fouls someone? It's up to the referee to call the game. Maradona shouldn't be vilified because the referee can't see a handball. What do you want him to do? Ask for his goal to be rescinded? Would you do that, if you were in a quarter final of the world cup, and just put your team ahead against one of the top contenders at the time?
Complain about this comment
"Argentina have always excelled themselves when it comes to cheating and influencing referees." 1966?
like it or not its they way the game is played, almost every player in the premiership dives today more than Maradona ever did (watch a vid on youtube of him dribbling) no one is saying that he did not cheat, we all know he did. The point being made here is what right do you as english fans have to point your finger at him, when your players have cheated in the past, italy's players have cheated, german players have cheated, every player has cheated. I am Argentine and here when one of our own gets in trouble like he did, we get behind him, help him on to the road to recovery. Its our way of thanking him for what he gave us. Maybe you should help the likes of Gazza, instead of pointing your finger and calling him a disgrace. I read English newspapers, one day you will victimize a player and the next day praise him, you have selective memories, we do not dwell on Owens dive in 2002 or the game in 66. Why do you think the hole world is out to get you for being good?
and one more thing, you seem to think that Argentina England is the biggest rivalry in football. faaaar from it, we could not care less, we have more of a rivalry against Brazil an Italy. and i would have thought Scotland and germany comes first?
Complain about this comment
towersofdub, Maradona intentionally handled the ball into the net and then wheeled away to celebrate and gestured to his teammates to join him. He later admitted that he did this to con the ref as he thought that if they didn't celebrate the ref may question the validity of the goal. Therefore the ref was guilty of being conned by a player who intentianlly and cynically cheated. If player goes out of their way to cheat then merely blaming the ref does not wash.
Complain about this comment
and one more thing, you seem to think that Argentina England is the biggest rivalry in football. faaaar from it, we could not care less, we have more of a rivalry against Brazil an Italy. and i would have thought Scotland and germany comes first?
It isn't the biggest rivalry for England either, that would be Germany. However it is a big game for both countries and for you to try and say you couldn't care less is laughable. Look how hyped up both sets of fans and players got over the last match between the 2 countries which was only a friendly on a neutral ground. Equally look at the graceless celebrations of your team in both 86 and 98.
Complain about this comment
Tim, I am currently working out in Abu Dhabi for a year and had the opportunity to witness Rafael Sobis debut for Al Jazira back in September after his move from real Betis. He was anonymous for most of the game, and failed to make any impact. However, he has now started scoring regularly for the club. He appeared at the Beijing Olympics for Brazil this summer winning a bronze medal in the process, and I understand that he was also a transfer target for Newcastle this summer. I would be interested in getting your opinion on why, an obviously very talented player, has made the decision to play in a 'back water' league in the United Arab Emirates?
Keep up the good work.
John Shenton
Complain about this comment
Lazeagle. you're the first person to have replied to any of my posts and only because i had a jibe. In the others i was trying to explain the differences in south american football and why we consider Maradona to be such an idol, you have basically proved my point, you love to point the finger, lay the blame on someone else, be the victim.
If, like so many of you have made the comparison, Gazza was appointed England manager, it would make the news here like when capello was named, but we wouldn't be talking about it for more than a minute.
(maybe because most of us don't know who he is)
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Why was my comment removed? Maradona was thrown out of the 1994 world cup for taking ephidrine therfore he is a drug cheat this is not contested by anyone.
Complain about this comment
JEALOUSY
England have never had a player like Maradona and most probably never will. This is the reason why England hate him so much.
Complain about this comment
226 - I don't think the comparison with Steven Taylor is laughable.
Maradona handled the ball into the net and ran away celebrating...
Taylor blocked the ball on the line with his hand deliberately and writhed around on the ground clutching his chest, claiming that it hit him there.
For me there is no difference, other than the first was made by a world class player at a major tournament and got away with it and the second was made by a mediocre defender in a domestic match and was caught out.
Both were still an attempt to cheat and for me are on a par.
Complain about this comment
It is interesting that the BBC should choose to suppress comments that are neither defamatory or even particularly controversial. When an athlete is removed from a major international tournament for taking a banned substance, to call that athlete a drug cheat and to compare him to other athletes who have likewise been removed from international competitions (in this case the comparison is between Maradona and Ben Johnson) is perfectly just. Why have the moderators chosen to suppress an opinion just because it disagrees with the thrust of the blog?
Complain about this comment
Saifur65 you call me jealous but you cannot refute my argument Maradona was a drug cheat.
Complain about this comment
Come on BBC are you all cowards or will you respond to my question?
Complain about this comment
Saifur65.
I think you just rounded it up, spot on.
May i also add that they will never have a player like Kun aguero or messi, or mascherano (personal fav of mine)
Complain about this comment
the only reason maradona is labled as a cheat is because we got knocked out, if we had won anyway i garante we would not be whining
so he handballed it into the net 1 time alot of players cheat all the time (not mentioning any names)
its just us being bitter about losing
Complain about this comment
Why is the title of the blog changed ?.
I dont see anything wrong with the previous one. It is the opinion of a person and he gives his reasons.
Complain about this comment
I notice that none of Maradonan's defenders choose to address the fact that he was (shall I say it again) a drug cheat.
Complain about this comment
I can refute your argument, ephidrine is legal in argentina, thats why the mexican cartels are ruining our country, buying it through our legal system and trafficking it up to mexico to feed all the americans and european consumers who corrupted a young boy with the world already on his shoulders. What would you have done to fit in if all you knew was football and poverty and suddenly all around you everyone is doing coke.
It was an enhancement so that he could play through injury much like many english players have used in the past, he got beaten up because of his natural ability.
I don't want to defend his drug addiction, but its what your argument has stooped to out of pure jealousy. Merson, Adams, gasgoine, Best what about them, they were all addicts
Complain about this comment
Come on you've all gone quiet. I want tohear what is the excuse for him taking drugs?
Complain about this comment
Oh poor little love! Ephadirne is definatly on the FIFA banned list. can't know what i'd have done but I do hope that if i'd been blessed with that kind of talent I wouldn't have found the need to cheat in a world cup by taking drugs.
Complain about this comment
I'm not talking about addiction which is unfortunate but does not detract from talent I'm talking about deliberate cheating.
Complain about this comment
robbha1
Your answer is not being answered because its irrelevant. It didnt enhance his play, how could he possibly get any better than he already was?! This was an 'off-field' matter.
Complain about this comment
I just told you, you lot are the consumers YOU corrupted him in europe.
Complain about this comment
What I want to know is, do the England fans truly believe they would have won the World Cup if they had beaten Argentina? If they do then...HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!
Complain about this comment
Yeha right I said 'Maradona you might not make this match so take this ephedrine which is on the FIFA banned list and you'll play'. was he not capable of taking and responsible for his own actions? Your argument is totaly to shift the blame on to thers. You are in denail because you are inacaple of forming an objective opinion.
Complain about this comment
England fans remind me of Newcastle fans - extremely over-ambitious.
Complain about this comment
saifur you still cannot address my argument.
Complain about this comment
saifur Sorry didn't see your earlier comment but you are ill informed. It was defiantly an on field matter. It is why he was thrown out of the 1994 world cup. Get your facts straight.
Complain about this comment
What has him taking drugs got to do with anything in this article? If you want to talk about drug issues, start a new topic somewhere else. Abel Xavier, Adrian Mutu, Rio Ferdinand, Juventus - there you go, now shoo.
Complain about this comment
Thats exactly right, In Argentina we doubted his selection for that world cup, supposedly he did not know what he was being given, it was his Physio. And if he did know he was already the addict that you europeans had created. you destroyed him.
you can not form an objective opinion because you are blind, and what tim vickery was defending was the maradona decision to take the risk at punching the ball in the net. I don't see how his ban from the 94 world cup affected the England squad, oh, you didn't qualify.
Complain about this comment
saifur Sorry the issue is ?did maradonas cheating outweigh his talent? for me his major offence was that he cheated by taking a banned performance enhancing substance at the 1994 World Cup. This is very much on the topic. If you cannot understand this then that perhaps explains why your previous contributions have been so juvenile.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Sorry this is interesting but I have to go. All I'll say is that what ever you think of maradona Pele was a better player because at no world cup did he need to take drugs in order to perform.
Complain about this comment
'Did Maradona's cheating outweigh his talent?' - If you believe that his cheating did outweigh his talent, clearly you are someone who has not seen him play. He was a magician with the ball. To outweigh the positive aspects of his game with the negative aspects is ridiculous. You really don't understand what he's given to football. You're like a tabloid newspaper.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
and robbha there is barely a mention of owen diving here, we only bring it up if you bring up the HoG, we got over that and that was 6 years ago.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The 'magic bullet' strikes again !
Complain about this comment
@ IvanGolacIsMagiv...
Indeed. Just thought the same thing, and locked on to see if anybody else noticed.
I don't understand why people keep going on about Maradona. What is the point when the cheats are everywhere? The best player did it to - so what.
The only special thing about the Hand of God incident, was that Maradona had something funny to say about it rather than most cheats nowadays.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I guess Gerrard showed that a good/great player does what it takes to make his team win.
Nice dive =)
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Just waiting to see all the Chelsea fans signing in to apologise for their captain's deliberate handball in his goal last night against Roma. I presume that from this moment on he will be labelled a cheat whenever mentioned on the message boards here, till the the end of his playing career and beyond.
As of course will Steven Gerrard for his blatant simulation to win his team a penalty.
Both players have of course skippered the national side. Good old English fail play at its best!
Complain about this comment
hopefully all the holier than thou england fans on here (i'm an england fan but recogniise we have as many cheats) will belt up after gerrard's performance last night.
if uefa want to talk about fair play, he should be banned for three matches.
Complain about this comment
Oh Mr Gerrard ... how well timed your latest dive was. For those who've been wasting their breath saying England players don't cheat ... ta-dah ...
Complain about this comment
oh dear, oh dear, oh dear,
how righteous our we now as England fans.
2 of our major satrs in our team at this present time, both cheated in last nights champions league games.
Terry, handball, goal, but not many people will take notice as it wasnt a significant goal to change the game.
but Gerrard
oh dear Stevie G, u blatantly dived in the box(simulation if u will) to win a penalty.
and you even came on tv in the aftermatch interview to defend yourself, by saying "if it was outside the box it would of been a free kick"
if that helps you sleep at night Steven.
how now the boot is on the other foot and so this blog now makes a fair point and even more sense.
but i doubt very much people will be referring to these in years to come.......unlike the Maradonna handball.
Complain about this comment
I totally agree that it?s a good article as ever. I was always in admiration of Maradona as a player and as a person, battling his way to victory on the pitch and seemingly able to battle his demons off the pitch. I was slightly shocked however when I read, from my total ignorance, that he apparently refused to acknowledge that he had fathered a son in Italy. Maybe Tim could clear this up? I think it?s perfectly fine for people to possess an anarchic temperament but sometimes you have to accept responsibility.
I hope that Maradona manages to restore some pride to his reputation, as many have condemned a man who has lived his private life very much in the public?s eye. I am half Brazilian and anyone who say?s Pele was better is lying. Pele?s happy to hand out his thoughts on things, mostly where they aren?t needed, Ronaldo and Scolari very concur that he lacks knowledge of the game, but Pele ultimately rests on his laurels, something which Maradona hasn?t.
Like Tim said he is ready to shatter his reputation to take this opportunity, for me this shows that he has the cojones as most people would be fearful that it would further tarnish their reputation.
Complain about this comment
Tim, looks like your point was well and truly proven when ?Stevie G? claimed he was right to get that penalty last night.
He said ?if it was outside the box it would have been a foul so why not inside??
Yes it would have been a foul? to the opposing player!
Complain about this comment
This topic is something that has annoyed me over the years. Number 25s ?Maradonna is a cheat and a disgrace to football for what he done? about sums up this ridiculous opinion that a section of English support think regarding Maradonna?s handball against saintly England. He can certainly be classed as a disgrace for a number of things he did during his career, but not this.
One thing that has amazed me on this topic over the years is that nobody has ever seemed to mention the referees part in it all. Anyone with half a brain and has actually taken part in a game of football at any level will know that there are many incidents each game that take place that would gain an advantage to a team/player if the referee does not spot the foul. This includes tackles, diving, handballs, pulling at defenders, blah blah blah. It is the referees job to spot these and give the foul accordingly.
Maradona?s handball just happened to be one that occurred at the highest level of the game.
It is this thought that he ?cheated to win a game? that is ridiculous.
I think what actually annoys folk more is that he never actually admitted the handball for a number of years afterwards, then coining the ?hand of god? title?. My thoughts on this are what difference would it have made. The result wouldn?t have changed, the game wouldn?t have been replayed, and Maradona wouldn?t have been pulled up as it wasn?t an offence that would have merited that. He himself would have also known it was a handball, not admitting it to simply wind the English up. He only needed to watch a replay of the ?goal?.
The referee not giving the foul was the main wrongdoing in the whole incident.
The opinions some people hold about him regarding his ?cheating? would make him even more of a genius if it was the case. If he managed to think in the blink of an eye ?Right, am gonna handball this in into the net as revenge for the Falklands, the ref aint gonna see it and am gonna get away with it? (Argentinian twang of course), then it is almost god like. Alas, he simply tried his luck and got away with it.
Unfortunately the English seem to want to think he has took part in a side of the game that they do not. And the are very wrong !!!
Complain about this comment
Why was my comment removed? Because I said players such as Stevie G and Owen cheat all the time?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
"let me just remind you that no-one is saying that he was not fouled, kicked or punched - that was cheating too."
In which case either get on every players back about it, or get off Diegos.
22 years, seriously get over it.
Complain about this comment
Re 173 - Ivan Golac
Who says Maradona was a bad player or that I would not want to have seen him play? Not most English people - no one is disputing his talent at all but he was a cheat and for you and your friends not to recognise that is in part a result of your shared ancestry I'm afraid. I have seen few posts here from people outside England who clearly label Maradona a cheat - what is interesting is that some foreign contributors want to either put forward examples of English cheating (of which there are many) and say Maradona was not so bad after all - we actually do not dispute that English players cheat as well you know! - or want to run down the English down as 'jealous' or 'bitter' and then go into a tirade, it almost a racist fashion, about all the failings of the "English". So racial stereotyping about the English is fair game then? Many of us take pleasure in all the Home Nations (and Irish) performances and some of you should think about your own prejudices before commenting on others!!
Complain about this comment
Some of these replies on the greatest footballer of all time prove so much. It shows the negative nature that a large number of "En-ger-land" football fans have. Long Ball, 4-4-2 "playing for the shirt" nonsene that blights our progression. It's a view from the top down that ruins everything from our tactical understanding, coaches training techniques to basic skill skills.
Complain about this comment
As a Law Lecturer can I point out that your previous title of "Maradona unfairly labeled cheat" would have had great difficulty standing up in a court of Law (except maybe an Argentine or Scottish court) - maybe the BBC are getting a bit twitchy about possible litigation following their embarrassments over Wossy and Brand??
Complain about this comment
Most of these replies make me laugh. Personally I think its a case of people throwing stones who live in glass houses.
Maradona is hated so much because he is Argentinian who just happened to knock England out. OK the first goal was with his hand, but I really believe if the roles were reversed the England player would be an idol. Especially if it was to knock Argentina out. Some English people hate all Argentina and Germany simply because of the wars. The media does not help this problem at all. Just look at a paper before we play either of these countries.
Why are these people living in glass houses? First, why do we believe we that we have a monopoly on fair play? Has anyone watched the Premership.
I have seen numerous times English players attempting to score with a hand. I have seen many defenders attemting to stop a goal on the goal line with a hand, eg Newcastle's Steven Taylor. While most are not successful they do attempt it. If they were successful then they would be applauded by their own fans and criticised by everyone else.
John Terry is a master at bending the rules. His sending off against Man City is an example. Yes, it wasn't violent conduct. But it was cynical. Simply because he was smart and didn't use his foot means that he is applauded. Ridiculous!!
Alan Shearers famous elbow on that Leicester player. He threatened the FA that he wouldn't play in the world cup if he recieved a prolonged ban, and he didn't. Scandalous!! That is far worse than anything Maradona did.
People need to get their own houses in order before they lable other people. In all fairness we are all capable of bending the rules when it suites us. What ever way that may be, if it is successful then we are happy.
Complain about this comment
Wow, what a response you're getting to this one Tim! I mean, how dare people disagree with Tim Vickery...this just doesn't happen?!
Personally, i think you're correct to point out that football players are rarely perfect, many (if not most) players cheat in some way, and it's pointless and inaccurate to continue with this grudge over that famous hand-ball. 22 years on, I think we can forget that. 14 years on, we can begin to forgive 1994 too.
I think you come dangerously close to justifying cheating though, your argument is almost suggesting that two wrongs make a right, or at least make it fairer. Yet I feel you may have gone too far, perhaps as a reaction against those who are still persecuting him and tarring his entire career with one or two events. However, I think the point many of us were trying to make is that Maradona does NOT have the personality to lead a national team. The person who pointed out that Maradona has been in an addiction clinic as recently as 2007 is correct to say, in my opinion, that he may not be over his treatment - addiction is life long, so long as you give into temptation. You say the Argentine F.A. have decided he is over it, but was this judgement made in blind faith? THe whole appointment seems to have been made in blind faith - to think that a legendary, God-like player can manage despite an almost non-existent coaching career and numberous (and frequently returning) off-field problems seems naive to me.
I wish Maradona every success, but I feel that bad decisions are those made when emotions are running high and your heart rules your head. Correct you are to praise Maradona for stepping up to the plate at the risk of diluting the love Argentinian fans have for him. Yet, this seems to be a foolish decision and, i'm sorry to be pessimistic, but i can only see this ending with the mildest of success.
One of the best blogs yet though Tim, it's nice to see you being extremely controversial!
Complain about this comment
Numberous?! I think I'll claim that word! I didn't mean to be magniloquent (my favourite word!). Or malodorous (my 2nd favourite word!). And that waste of time takes me neatly to 5 o'clock, see you later everybody...
Complain about this comment
TIM
I see Riqueleme is not included in Maradona's first squad, is this likely to be a long term omission or is there any reason why he would be left out of this squad?
I recall before becoming coach, maradona had mentioned in the press what he thought was Argentina's strongest line up and Juan Roman was not one of the chosen X1. Could the wonderful playmaker's days of international football be over?
Complain about this comment
England v Brazil, Wembley, May 1987.
Half-time in the TV studio Maradona makes a special guest apperance............how exciting, can't wait to hear his vies on the English game, being a World Cup winner, playing for Napoli etc.
The one question he is asked (and I paraphrase) 'Diego tell us about your first goal against in England in last year's WCQF?' I can't even remember who the presenter was.
Get over it!
http://www.realfootballargentina.blogspot.com/
Complain about this comment
I'm amazed that Maradona's handball in 1986 is used against him time and again. The second goal he scored in that game plus the goal v Belgium in the semis was enough to shut me up for good.
But in 1990 with England drawing 0-0 with Holland in the second game, 2 mins to go, cross comes over, Lineker controls, turns and sticks it in the net. He was ready to take that goal before it was ruled handball. Lineker, as we saw from another angle, had to control the ball with his stuck-out elbow.
I suppose those who hate Maradona so much would just claim that Lineker was redressing the balance, but for me, any footballer would do it.
Complain about this comment
post 289;
Riquelme hasn't been left out yet - so far Maradona has only called up the foreign based players (he has to do that 2 weeks in advance) - he'll complete the squad with a handful of home based players in a few days.
And now that Boca have been knocked out of the South American Cup, Riquelme is available (unlike Angeleri and Veron of Estudiantes, who would have been called up otherwise).
So we'll have to see what he does with Riquelme - just one of the many fascinating questions being posed by his appointment.
Complain about this comment
What about Peter Crouch Pulling the Hair of the Trinidad and Tobago player to score a very important goal for England in Germany 2006?
Complain about this comment
The minute this goes tits up for the national team, you can just see the firing line for poor Julio Grondona and the rest of cohorts.
Its the very fact that Maradona has this god-like status, that means should he fail miserably as the NT coach, he would be beyond any criticism from the press or fans - the very similar type of scathing criticism of him as a player that warrants a full response from you Tim.
The only ones putting themselves on the line here are the suits at the Argentinian FA.
I wish him all the best, but I can't help but feel he should have been him sat behind Batista to start taking these young Argentinian players to the next level in international football.
Complain about this comment
that last post - no, in a country of football coaches Maradona's status is not going to be much of a shield.
He's going to be criticized - he's already being criticized for calling up Zanetti and Heinze, who many people wanted out.
So, yes, Maradona is putting himself on the line - and he knows it. The best answer in his opening press conference was to the question of whether he feared losing prestige by taking on this job - he replied, quite correctly, that the way to lose prestige was with the life he was leading a few years ago
Complain about this comment
Incidentally, on the subject of morality...
I have a copy of a French magazine, So Foot - a special edition which traces Maradona's career and has interviews with lots of people he came into contact with.
They wanted to interview Andoni Goikoetxea, who smashed Maradona's ankle with a disgraceful tackle in 1983. According to the magazine, Goikoetxea asked for a thousand euros to give his version - he wanted to profit from it!
Complain about this comment
Good article. It has people talking.
But Maradonna was a cheat. You can´t compare a physical game that was allowed (football used to be very physical) to a blatant handball that has never been and never will be allowed. It was a match changing moment and who knows what would have happened if that goal hadn´t been allowed. But Mardonna was the "second" best player of all time perhaps...
And as for this stuff about cultural differences...sorry but it makes for bad viewing watching grown athletic men roll around in agony clutching parts of body that weren´t touched...I find it disgusting. It needs to be clamped down upon hard. It is cheating that leaves a bad taste. May as well be pro restling for all the acting and dramatics. Bunch of cheating girlies.
And I think Maradonna has some ego problems that may prove to be a problem for Argentina. I am a big fan of Messi watching him every week in Barcelona. And I think Maradonna is jealous of him and wants to knock him back. I don´t think he wants another player to take any limelight from himself and what he achieved. Messi has a lot to do to live upto or catch up with Maradonna of course but he is young and amazing and he could be a player that in the next world cup could be a player to produce the bit of magic that could win the tournament and go into the football folklore..legendary status that maradonna achieved. I hope Maradonna gives him his freedom. He is an honest direct player of great skill and I think Maradonna seems to have an unreasonable problem with him. A clash of ego´s perhaps...and they don´t come any bigger than maradonnas....but seeing those photo´s...he is very small isn´t he? Often the case. Small man, big ego and a chip on sholder..
Complain about this comment
Diego humiliated the english and he took pride in it. I loved, LOVED that he put the ball in the back of the net with his hand.
Can't wait for him to outsmart the english in the next world cup either. Would be great
Complain about this comment
tim- fantastic article as always.
While I certainly agree that Maradonna was 'cheated' out of playing at times by some extremely harsh tackling, there is still no denying that he did himself cheat in various ways, on several occassions. Whether he cheated because he was a victim we'll never really know, as we do not know what might have happened if he had received more protection from referees (i.e. would he have used his hand anyway as his lack of height was not a result of tough tackling).
Anyway, football is all about opinion, and yours is always greatly respected as you are an expect in your chosen field.
Complain about this comment
*expert
Complain about this comment
I think that this tragedy just points out how much pressure to perform is out there is sports. He was a trying to fidn a way to live with the pressure to win at any cost - as long as you don't get caught. Most weight loss plans just don't give you the fast results that come from prescription diet pills.
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS