Diego Maradona: Don't call me a cheat when England World Cup winner wasn't over line

Nov 19 2008 By Keith Jackson

DIEGO Maradona has stuck two fingers up at Terry Butcher and insisted England cheated their way to World Cup victory in 1966.

Maradona held court with the world's press in a Glasgow hotel as he faced the cameras for the first time since his shock appointment as boss of Argentina.

And he reacted with astonishment when he was told that Scotland assistant boss Butcher is still holding a 22-year grudge over the famous Hand of God goal that helped end England's dreams at Mexico in 1986.

He insisted the English have no right to question his morality after they clinched the world crown on their home turf with a Geoff Hurst strike which should should never have stood.

Hurst's goal was given after the ball hit the underside of the bar and appeared to bounce on the line and back into play. It was England's third goal in a 4-2 extra-time win over West Germany at Wembley.

When asked by a female English reporter if he could not understand Butcher's bitterness towards him, Maradona said: "Look love, England won a World Cup with a goal that never crossed the line.

"It was plain to see for everyone. So I don't think it's fair that anyone should judge me."

Amid roars of laughter, Maradona then held his hands a foot apart and added: "It missed by that much! But I suppose there were no action replays back then."