World Cup 2018 | ARGENTINA
Maradona on Hand of God vs VAR: "I'd have been arrested"
The Argentina legend spoke in 2018 about what would have happened if video technology had existed when he scored that infamous goal against England in Mexico.
Former French international and Arsenal legend, Robert Pirès, interviewed the late Diego Armando Maradona as part of their build-up to Russia 2018. One specific topic had particular intrigue, that surrounding the infamous "Hand of God" goal, scored against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Maradona's 'Hand of God' vs VAR
That day, referee Ali Bin Nassar allowed the goal to stand. However, the question from Pirès was about the use of modern technology:
"What do you think would have happened in the England vs Argentina match of '86 if VAR had existed?" Pirés asked.
"I would have been arrested," the Argentine replied tongue firmly in his cheek, "Because you can't steal in front of 80,000 people."
"What 80,000!? The world!" Pirès clarified and asked, "Which was it, the left [hand]?" Maradona simply raised his left hand in the air and said, "This one!"
Explaining this further the legend, who also scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history in the same game, said:
"I did 'tik-tik' and I put my head right behind it and [Terry] Fenwick said 'Hand! Hand!' 'What hand? Goal!!' I tell him, 'Goal!!'."
VAR was used for the first time in a World Cup in Russia.