SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JUNE 26: Diego Armando Maradona shows his support to Argentina prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Hand of God
Naturally in England we remember the ‘Hand of God’ goal Maradona scored in the 1986 World Cup which helped defeat us, more like ‘The Devil’s claw’. Maradona rose to handle the ball past England‘s Peter Shilton.
Although damage was done earlier: the Argentine sliced delicately and skilfully past six hopeless and hapless challenges, scoring a timeless tournament goal. Argentina went on to triumph at the tournament. Maradona lifted the trophy.
This was just after the time of the Falklands war and the Argentinian held a grudge against the English. In turn, Gary Lineker recently said some of his teammates on the day are ‘still bitter towards Maradona’ and always will be.
Pele, in a wildly non-astute way, said of the incident: “I don’t think Maradona is to blame for impulse.” Well, who is then? Am I biased as an Englishman, possibly, but cheating is fraud.
Although I believe in winning sporting contests by any means necessary – that hand ball was blatant and infantile, on the largest stage. No bitterness here, honest.
Argentina, and the man himself, consider the foul innovative. And the church of Maradona – yep, it exists – say the moment brought their countrymen together.
Downfall
I cannot find confirmation of this, but below is a video supposedly showing Maradona’s drug use – on the actual football pitch! Although this incident came as his career wound down; it is a charity match in the States.
Rejuvenated
According to Wikipedia: ‘From the mid-1980s until 2004, Maradona was addicted to cocaine. He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983. By the time he was playing for Napoli, he had a regular addiction, which began to interfere with his ability to play football.’
After multiple stints in rehab and hospital during the 2000s, he eventually announced sobriety in 2007. Since those darker days, Maradona reinvented himself as a football executive, coach, manager and finally, a presenter. He bizarrely had a television show in Argentina.
Empowering an average Napoli outfit,</a> propelling them to unparalleled modern success.</p>
<p>While, like a scene from Gomorrah, consorting with local Camorra organised crime members, per <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3639425.stm">BBC Sport</a>. After putting Naples on the footballing map – disgrace finished his career in Italy. Told at the time by <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/sport-in-short-football-1533258.html">Independent: Maradona received an 18-month-ban for a positive drug test.</p>
<p>His next destination was Sevilla in Spain. Subsequently returning to Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys and finally Boca Juniors – his beloved club. Maradona can regularly be found hanging from the upper balcony and climbing along in an ape-like fashion at la Bombonera.</p>
<p>In addition, ‘the golden boy’ as he was know throughout his career, played in four World Cups. Despite receiving a ban for another positive drug test.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Hand of, erm, God </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_456552" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-456552" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F984675020-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JUNE 26: Diego Armando Maradona shows his support to Argentina prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Hand of God</h3>
<p>Naturally in England we remember the ‘Hand of God’ goal Maradona scored in the 1986 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/20/deschamps-important-element-frances-world-cup-win-revealed/">World Cup</a> which helped defeat us, more like ‘The Devil’s claw’. Maradona rose to handle the ball past <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/24/possible-premier-league-switch-liverpool-striker/">England‘s Peter Shilton.</p>
<p>Although damage was done earlier: the Argentine sliced delicately and skilfully past six hopeless and hapless challenges, scoring a timeless tournament goal. Argentina went on to triumph at the tournament. Maradona lifted the trophy.</p>
<p>This was just after the time of the Falklands war and the Argentinian held a <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/diego-maradona-taunts-england-saying-8263113">grudge against the English</a>. In turn, Gary Lineker recently said some of his teammates on the day are ‘still bitter towards Maradona’ and always will be.</p>
<p>Pele, in a wildly non-astute way, said of the incident: “I don’t think Maradona is to blame for impulse.” Well, who is then? Am I biased as an Englishman, possibly, but cheating is fraud.</p>
<p>Although I believe in winning sporting contests by any means necessary – that hand ball was blatant and infantile, on the largest stage. No bitterness here, honest.</p>
<p>Argentina, and the man himself, consider the foul innovative. And the church of Maradona – yep, it exists – say the moment brought their countrymen together.</p>
<h3>Downfall</h3>
<p>I cannot find confirmation of this, but below is a video supposedly showing Maradona’s drug use – on the actual football pitch! Although this incident came as his career wound down; it is a charity match in the States.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The internet would blow up if this happened nowadays. Here is Diego Maradona scoring a goal in all star game. One of his friends then sprints onto the pitch with a bag to give Diego a celebratory sniff. Probably not the best celebration idea with kids in the crowd. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maradona?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Maradona</a> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://t.co/ZrmmlMrqXV">pic.twitter.com/ZrmmlMrqXV
<p>— Keepitonthedeck (@Keepitonthedeck) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://twitter.com/Keepitonthedeck/status/1012182633319673858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 28, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h3>Rejuvenated</h3>
<p>According to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Maradona">Wikipedia: ‘From the mid-1980s until 2004, Maradona was addicted to cocaine. He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983. By the time he was playing for Napoli, he had a regular addiction, which began to interfere with his ability to play football.’</p>
<p>After multiple stints in rehab and hospital during the 2000s, he eventually announced sobriety in 2007. Since those darker days, Maradona reinvented himself as a football executive, coach, manager and finally, a presenter. He bizarrely had a television show in Argentina.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> World Cup timeline (must see) </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_458421" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-458421" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F987939380-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/987939380-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/987939380-768x507.jpeg 768w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/987939380.jpeg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">KAZAN, RUSSIA – JUNE 30: Diego Armando Maradona reacts after France’s fourth goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>World Cup 2018 timeline</h3>
<p>It was February 2017 when the questionable appointment of FIFA ambassador came. Without a hint of irony, Maradona exclaimed his ascension on Facebook:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Now it’s official. Finally I can fulfil one of the lifelong dreams; to work for a clean and transparent FIFA alongside people who really love football.” – Diego Maradona (Via: <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"http://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-fifa/story/3057211/diego-maradona-appointed-as-fifa-ambassador">ESPN)
<p>Extraordinarily, the World Cup winner makes £10,000 a game for attendance in his role. Oh, that includes expenses, of course it does. Details on his capacity are hazy. Presumably he has to also appear at bureaucratic, private FIFA events too. Anyway, here is the most extraordinary example set by a diplomatic representative, with help from <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/27/maradonas-role-paid-ambassador-fifa-comes-scrutiny-following/">Telegraph Sport:
<p>An incident of racial abuse towards South Korea supporters. Deplorable. Smoking a cigar in a confined stadium. Absurdly selfish behaviour. Binge drinking: really Diego, it’s not a teenage party, mate. Needing Medical attention – no I am not advocating mental therapy – actually, that is not a ridiculous idea.</p>
<p>Anyway, sadly, the medical attention is in reference to his fainting after the drinking session at the Nigeria game. “I drank all the wine”, the 57-year-old said, declaring the medical attention over and himself alive. Then swearing at rival fans – as you can see in the featured image. It should be noted that he did apologise or attempt to explain his actions.</p>
<p>Being accredited, as Maradona is by FIFA as an ambassador, has an interesting definition: ‘give authority or sanction to (someone or something) when recognised standards have been met.’ It must have been a swift meeting on the day of his designation.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nobody is having a World Cup quite like Diego Maradona. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://t.co/7qf1rnUSVY">pic.twitter.com/7qf1rnUSVY
<p>— B/R Football (@brfootball) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1013002307259240449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 30, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h3>You thought he was finished, oh no</h3>
<p>A staggeringly uncommon and deluded opinion below about Colombia’s disgusting first-half game plan in the last 16, reveals Maradona’s English obsession is thriving.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Diego Maradona thinks Colombia were robbed 👀 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://t.co/Kr680enG9s">pic.twitter.com/Kr680enG9s
<p>— B/R Football (@brfootball) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1014489112290709504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 4, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Then a typical back track from the initial delusional outburst.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Diego Maradona has apologised for saying England committed a "monumental robbery" in beating Colombia at the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#WorldCup</a>.<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://t.co/BJ1Sfw0U23">https://t.co/BJ1Sfw0U23 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://t.co/WQxgEabNYe">pic.twitter.com/WQxgEabNYe
<p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1014928796271763457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Incredibly, football’s governing body then gave Maradona their public support. Although they warned him to show more ‘respect’. He was not in the headlines for any more idiotic behaviour in Russia – heeding the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/16/thibaut-courtois-gives-chelsea-final-ultimatum/">warning.
<h3>Belarus management</h3>
<p>So, after all that, Maradona is still <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/17/cristiano-ronaldo-already-positively-transforming-juventus/">in demand</a>. I sigh heavily in sympathy for Belarusian club Dynamo Brest. Good luck with that publicity stunt. At least his marvellous aptitude should attract interest, top players or develop talent while conducting his three-year deal. Hopefully. News from the Belarusians since appointing the mercurial former superstar is forthcoming; his arrival expected in August.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Apart from heinous criminals, people deserve a second chance. Former drug addicts certainly do. As far as I am aware, Maradona did nothing deserving of a custodial sentence.</p>
<p>Nor did he physically hurt anyone at the World Cup in Russia. So I want to clarify: I am not singling out an easy target – we need characters in the game.</p>
<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">World Cup</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/20/world-cup-firsts-proves-future-womens-soccer-bright/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">A World Cup of firsts proves future of women’s soccer is bright</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/20/spain-win-womens-world-cup/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Spain win the Women’s World Cup</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/02/uswnt-underperforms-group-stage/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">USWNT underperforms but squeaks through to knockout rounds</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/07/27/dutch-expose-uswnt-vulnerabilities/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Dutch expose USWNT’s vulnerabilities in 1-1 draw</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/07/21/australia-world-cup-sam-kerr/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Australia forced to start World Cup campaign without Sam Kerr</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>Yet as a sporting emissary, his blatant racism, excessive indulgence and aggressive demeanour are inappropriate: to put it seriously mildly.</p>
<p>Someone with decorum, one who conducts politely prospective executive clients and partners’ engagements slightly more befitting may suffice.</p>
<p>More importantly and aside from his incredible football talent: I hope Maradona finally becomes a role model for children. Some celebrities are slightly excused if their craft is of an adult rating, like action movies.</p>
<p>Football, or the World Cup specifically, has a universal rating. Yet he is a contradictory figure: he helps charities, held mild political views and advocated liberalism.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Courtois is politely extorting Chelsea" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/16/thibaut-courtois-gives-chelsea-final-ultimatum/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/16/thibaut-courtois-gives-chelsea-final-ultimatum/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Courtois is politely extorting Chelsea </a> </div>
</div>
<p>I’ll leave you with a telling Diego Armando Maradona quote:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all I have big shoulders – big enough to fight with everybody.” – Diego Maradona (Via: History Channel’s, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/07/27/diego-maradona-peculiar-choice-fifa-ambassador/2/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOubLFdPsvE%22>Bring Me The Head of Diego</a> Maradona)</p></blockquote><!—pageview_candidate—>">