Maradona had greatness but no sportsmanship: England's Shilton

A great player and like so many - a flawed genius.

Diego Maradona had greatness in him but his refusal to apologize for his 'Hand of God' goal that helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup proved he lacked sportsmanship, former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton said.

Lol

RIP Diego Maradona.

He was a cheater. Hope he’s remembered as such.

Diego Maradona had greatness in him but his refusal to apologize for his 'Hand of God' goal that helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup proved he lacked sportsmanship, former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton said.

Lol

Why Lol? It seems like a reasonable and defensible view.

He was a cheater. Hope he’s remembered as such.

He was so good, he’ll be remembered by most, including English people like me, as a genius. Some patriots and nationalists, English and otherwise, will continue to enjoy the handball or hold a grudge depending on where they happened to be born. Childish nonsense.

I am a football lover. Nobody in my lifetime player it better than Maradona. A step above other greats in my lifetime like Zidane, Platini, Zico, van Basten, Ronaldo, Messi and Christiano Ronaldo for me.

Some patriots and nationalists, English and otherwise, will continue to enjoy the handball or hold a grudge depending on where they happened to be born. Childish nonsense.

Yes, it's interesting that Shilton still holds a grudge after all these years. As you say; childish.

Some patriots and nationalists, English and otherwise, will continue to enjoy the handball or hold a grudge depending on where they happened to be born. Childish nonsense.

Yes, it's interesting that Shilton still holds a grudge after all these years. As you say; childish.

Very childish, just like people who enjoyed it because it was against England.

Give them a playpen.

It was some payback against the atrocities UK made against Argentinians in the Falklands. It was more that a football game that day, and it was awesome. Maradona came from a family of 10, grew up in poverty where the only running water came from a hole in the roof. He is a legend and one of the greatest players of the game. RIP El Pibe de Oro.

Very childish, just like people who enjoyed it because it was against England.

Indeed. Just like English nationalists who get all upset because not everyone supports their team.

Very childish, just like people who enjoyed it because it was against England.

Indeed. Just like English nationalists who get all upset because not everyone supports their team.

As far as I can see, we are in total agreement. Nationalists are children.

Banter is fine but the kind of mind that would enjoy seeing cheating beat a country you don’t like has no place in an adult conversation.

Nationalists are children.

Most are. But Irish nationalism (there, one of us had to mention it) is a very different and complicated beast to the usual moronic type elsewhere. Irish nationalism is generally left wing, and about inclusitivity for all sections of the community. It is not about triumphalism and has aligned itself with many left wing causes around the world. Sadly, there is a right wing element creeping in, targetting black and other minorities in Ireland. It's championed by the likes of Gemma ("chem trails") O'Doherty and other far right types who have been emboldened by populism these last few years.

Banter is fine but the kind of mind that would enjoy seeing cheating beat a country you don’t like has no place in an adult conversation.

Good job I do like England, isn't it? Wouldn't have lived there if I didn't. Anyway, the infamous goal was allowed, so, technically, it wasn't cheating.

I remember watching the match in question in a crowded bar in the UK.

After the handball incident the patrons were incandescent with rage but after the second goal...the goal of the century? It was a case of ..

They have Maradona and we have..... Terry Butcher!

The Hand of God thing whilst annoying and heartbreaking was incredibly well executed. It was hard to see it on first look.

I got a red card for trying a ゴッドハンド years ago when I played local league footie in Japan, ref was proper chuffed to be able to send me off. So far my only ever dismissal.

I never got close to doing anything like his second goal, although I reckon I'd have had a chance against Peter 'glacial' Reid and Terry 'flatfoot' Fenwick.

Incredible player, wouldn't even trust him to water my plants though.

RIP the Greatest

Well Mr Shilton, Maradona could dribble around the whole England team twice , tie them up in knots , squeeze the mickey out of them or whatever, set up goals and handball it too , in the blur of an eye, before you could Manchester.

Every player who deliberately dives or fakes being hit is a cheat.

Has Ronaldo, Neymar or any Italian footballer ever apologised ?

Well Mr Shilton, Maradona could dribble around the whole England team twice , tie them up in knots , squeeze the mickey out of them or whatever, set up goals and handball it too , in the blur of an eye, before you could Manchester.

I don’t think he’s disputing that Maradona was an incredible player. I don’t think it is possible to dispute that.

Is Shilton embarrassed about his keeping in that situation? A bit slow of the line perhaps? Should have get there first and cleaned Maradona out in the process?

Soccer players do not deserve the title, 'genius', no matter how good they are at the sport. Thus says this retired soccer coach.

Never heard of him.

He may be "skilled" but he is a "CHEAT".

I have zero time for cheats.

Very childish, just like people who enjoyed it because it was against England.

At the time, I guess I fell in that category. But I think I enjoyed it more because he did it with style. It reminded me of my childhood football on the local council estate. Whatever you can get away with, and a cheeky grin won't harm.

He was a bit of a star in Scotland long before that game. He played in an international in Glasgow in 1979, and he caused the home fans to cheer him. A rare event. There were a lot of tributes here yesterday. One from a guy who was a 13-year old ballboy during a training session back in 2008. Maradona had lost a medallion and the kid found it. He was rewarded. Picture here:

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/NINTCHDBPICT000004162798.jpg

One journalist had this to say:

Hampden ’79 was my baptism in the benign cult of Diego. I subsequently spent the next four decades jumping at his goals, wincing at his excesses, and, occasionally, praying for his well-being.

I think most football fans will have similar feelings.

why are the English such pathetic losers? They have had so much practice but still they whine and moan like they are paragons of sporting virtue. Maradona scored two goals that game and England lost cause he was unstoppable. . Sad when a national characteristic is bad losers.

Get over it and remember you won the war! Well actually y'all needed a bunch of help from the Americans but claim it as your own victory by all means.

@simon g

You are correct the English do carry a grudge towards Maradona. Gotta let things go he was a great player.

BTW if y'all haven't been thanked lately for your contributions in the world wars Id like to.

God bless America,world champions.

Top player, flawed character. RIP.

Who isn't flawed? Usually when someone dies you let go of the negatives. English merchant bankers not so much maybe. Maradona was the best player in the 20th century. Pele was great but the world stage was much smaller when he played, Maradona owned the game at his peak. RIP Diego.