#numberten

From the hand of God to resting in Gods hands. AD10S Diego.

There are many words to describe the footballing icon Diego Armando Maradona. Some won't be particularly complimentary, especially if you speak to the 'bonehead fraternity' who like to harp on and on about the infamous 'Hand of God' incident in the quarter final of the 1986 world cup against England. For the record the incident didn't fill me with joy either, yes it was an illegal act, yes it should have been ruled out. Some of the problem lies in culture, South American culture to be more precise, when Maradona was asked about why he committed the act he stated that it was something that he had done many times growing up, the whole idea behind every attempt was to "get away with it." It seems that the South American view on those type of antics is very different to those the English hold. The English like to 'win the right way', the Argentinians approach is more of a 'win at all costs, no matter what it takes.' They see it as "cheeky," "guile," "trickery," "artfulness," "deception." This is borne out by Maradona stating in his autobiography as "pickpocketing the English." It doesn't make it right, but there it is.

There are a couple of things that used to irritate me about this aspect of Maradona's career. The people who constantly bang on about the "Hand of God" incident (I don't refer to it as a goal, as although that's what the history books state I can't bring myself to refer to it as such, so lets just run with 'incident')... I digress. The people who constantly bang on about that incident RARLEY mention his second goal in the same game. It's like the world of football stood still for them and they never made it to his second?

Maradona was something very special and like Zico was quoted as saying " I saw Maradona do things that God himself would doubt were possible. He was a genius." Yet his whole career seems to be defined by that one incident.

Where that incident is concerned. It's not down to Maradona about whether the goal is allowed, he plies his trade and the officials officiate (or they're supposed to?) The referee Ali Bennaceur stated "I did not see the hand, but I had a doubt. I stepped back to take the advice of my assistant, and when he confirmed it was good, I gave the goal." The linesman during that game Bogdan Dotchev had a slightly different take on the situation, he stated "I saw the Argentinian played with the hand, during those times Fifa’s rules allowed the assistant referee to give his opinion only if asked by the referee. The referee admitted the goal even before taking a look at me to check the situation. We never had a communication, Bennaceur knew only his native language.”

Maradona may have tried with all his might to be a decietful as he could be, but if the officials do their job correctly his efforts are rendered irrelevant. It's not a players job to officiate, never has been, never will be. Rest in peace eternally Diego, you brought me great joy.