MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Maradona admits cheating in 1986 World Cup

Former world football star Diego Maradona publicly confessed that the first goal against England in the Mexico World Cup of 1986, which ended with Argentina winning 2-1, was hand converted.

"Nobody knew about it, this is breaking news", kidded Maradona during the airing of the second edition of his television program "The Number 10 night" broadcasted Monday night.

Summing up the controversial incident, "God's hand goal" as it was described by the British press at the time, Maradona admitted "I had to do it with my hand?I'm short, shorty and the English goal keeper (Peter) Shilton was 1,86 tall. No way could I out jump him with my head?that's why I touched the ball with my left fist".

However the former captain of the Argentine team which finally won the 1986 World Cup asked to avoid linking football with politics, (in 1982 Argentina and Britain went to war over the Falkland Islands) but anyhow he implied a certain satisfaction with the "hand goal".

"The English did a lot of things to us. Even if we don't want to link politics with sports, we knew they were the English", underlined Maradona. "Besides we were a better team than England, but it wasn't reflected in the score. This first goal opened the way for the final victory".

Maradona recalled that his team mates, who were aware of what had happened, reacted rather slowly in celebrating the goal because they were expecting it to be annulled.

"None of them came to embrace me and celebrate. I begged them, please come, I wanted them to pretend. But they were rather shy and slow in coming and when they did so, they seemed to be saying "we're cheating"", he recalled.

Because of the famous "God's hand" goal Shilton never invited Maradona to his farewell football match, but Maradona shook off the incident and taunted the English player.

"Shilton, I'll never get to sleep", said Maradona looking into the television cameras.

Photo:'Hand of God' Diego Maradona scores twice against England and makes headlines around the world.