Friday, Mar 29, 2024 | Last Update : 05:13 AM IST

  Sports   Football  30 Apr 2020  Football legend Diego Maradona invokes 'Hand of God' to end pandemic

Football legend Diego Maradona invokes 'Hand of God' to end pandemic

AFP
Published : Apr 30, 2020, 9:11 am IST
Updated : Apr 30, 2020, 9:11 am IST

Argentina league, like most others in South America and Europe, has been stopped since since March 20 due to the coronavirus

In this file photo, Diego Maradona of Argentina celebrates with the cup at the end of the 1986 Mexico World Cup in the Atzeca Stadium, in Mexico City, Mexico. Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 to take the trophy. The English will never forgive him for his ‘Hand of God’ goal en route to winning the World Cup. AP Photo
 In this file photo, Diego Maradona of Argentina celebrates with the cup at the end of the 1986 Mexico World Cup in the Atzeca Stadium, in Mexico City, Mexico. Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 to take the trophy. The English will never forgive him for his ‘Hand of God’ goal en route to winning the World Cup. AP Photo

Buenos Aires: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has asked the 'Hand of God' to deliver the world from the coronavirus pandemic and allow normal life to resume.

The World Cup winner referred to his hand-assisted goal in the 1986 World Cup after Argentine football chiefs voted to end the current season as well as suspend relegation, saving Maradona-managed bottom club Gimnasia from the drop.

"Today this happened to us and many people say it is a new Hand of God," said Maradona, alluding to his infamous goal against England.

"But today I'm asking for that hand to end this pandemic so people can go back to living their lives, healthy and happy."

Then-Argentine captain Maradona responded to the controversy over his goal at the World Cup in Mexico by saying "it was the Hand of God!"

Argentina went on to beat England 2-1 in the quarter-final.

On being thrown a lifeline by the suspension of the season, he told Argentine daily Clarin: "It's not the ending we had wanted, we were convinced we could save ourselves on the pitch."

Argentina has been in lockdown since March 20 against the coronavirus, which by early Wednesday had infected 4,114 people with 207 deaths.

The 59-year-old Maradona, appointed to manage struggling Gimnasia in September, said clubs in Argentina are facing years of financial difficulty.

"Hopefully it is understood that we have to face what's coming together, for the good of football. No-one is like Rambo in this war, because even Rambo loses against this."

Tags: diego maradona, football world cup, hand of god, covid 19
Location: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Escobar