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By AFP 
19h ago
LONDON – Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 on Wednesday, possessed “greatness but not sportsmanship,” said former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who was the victim of the infamous “hand of God” goal in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup.
Shilton told the Daily mail He didn’t like that the Argentine soccer legend never apologized for the first of his two goals in a 2-1 win in Mexico.
Maradona, whom Shilton described as “the best player I have ever faced,” scored twice more in the semi-final victory over Belgium and lifted the World Cup after Argentina defeated West Germany in the final.
“What I don’t like is that he never apologized,” Shilton said.
“He never at any time said that he had cheated and would like to apologize.
Instead, he used his ‘Hand of God’ line. That wasn’t right.
“It seems like he had greatness in him, but sadly he had no sportsmanship.”
Shilton, who won the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest, who has been international 125 times, added: “My life has long been linked with Diego Maradona’s, and not in the way I would have liked.”
“But it saddens me to hear of his passing at such a young age.
“He was without a doubt the best player I ever faced and my thoughts are with his family.”
Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona died of a heart attack, his lawyer said. He will be widely remembered as one of the greatest footballers of all time. #RIPDiegoMaradona
Video: @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/Q7jcmsbtF8
– IOL Sport (@IOLsport) November 25, 2020
Shilton, 71, says England were still reeling from “cheating” when Maradona scored his sublime second goal.
“It was a great goal, but we had no doubts: without the first goal, I would not have scored the second,” Shilton said.
Shilton, who reached the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup where England lost to Germany on penalties, said he had turned down the opportunity to appear with Maradona on several occasions.
“My approach was always the same, which I would be happy to do if I thought he was going to apologize,” Shilton said.
“I would have shook his hand. But they never gave me any indication that it might happen.
“Once I was asked to go on a talk show with him in Argentina. But again I didn’t feel good.
“I felt like it was all going to be a trick, so I stayed away and I think I made the right decision.”
Shilton says he hopes the notorious goal doesn’t overshadow the former Barcelona and Napoli star’s uncanny ability.
“I hope it doesn’t stain Maradona’s legacy.
“As I said, he was a great player, on a par with players like Pelé.
“He was a special talent and it’s hard to believe that he passed away at only 60 years old.”
AFP
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