MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Maradona's “hand of God” apology “too little, too late”

England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton has branded Diego Maradona's apology for his sly “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup as “too little, too late”.

The 58-year-old goalkeeper expressed his dismay over the apology 22 years on, as it put paid to England's hopes of moving into the semi-finals of the World Cup in Mexico City. "He's had so many chances to do it over the years it actually feels hollow now. The guy should have said sorry straight after the game - that's what a truly great player like Pele would have done" The London daily Sun quoted Shilton, as saying. "If I could apologize, go back in time and change history, I would", admitted Maradona to The Sun. The Argentine who visited England said he felt "very happy" because British fans called him a "legend" when asking for autographs. At the time the mythical player said the goal had been "a little the head of Maradona and a little the hand of God". But, "a goal is a goal, Argentina won the World Cup and I was the best player; I can't change history". Shilton, who played 125 times for England said: "I think the fact our countries had just finished being at war meant he didn't want to apologise then and there. It was just a great shame because he was the best player I've played against. But what he did changed my view of him. I think that everyone remembers him for all the wrong reasons - even now." Shilton watched helpless as Maradona punched the ball into England's net - Argentina's first goal in a 2-1 victory. He added: "It'll stay with me for ever. The first goal in that game was always going to be so important. It gave the Argentines a psychological edge and we all knew we'd gone behind to a handball - it cast doubt in our minds." "If it had gone into extra time, who knows what would have happened" he said. However the controversy over the "hand of the God" goal has cast a shadow in England on the second and decisive goal which left England out of the Cup. Four minutes after the "hand of God", Maradona displayed all his superb talent with an impeccable goal that is considered the most beautiful of any World Cup ever. In ten seconds Maradona run 60 meters with the ball, leaving behind six English players and gently struck the ball when Shilton tried to stop him. Shilton, who won two European Cups with Nottingham Forest, was also angry at Maradona for his attack on David Beckham. Maradona, 47, told The Sun Beckham was not a "great" player and there were "hundreds" worldwide as good as England's former skipper. "I think it's very difficult to say that a player who has got 99 caps for his country is not great. I think what he was saying was that Beckham didn't have his dribbling ability. But could Maradona have consistently hit free kicks and long passes the way Beckham did? I don't think so," said Shilton.