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Heaven-sent windfall
The match official who failed to spot Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal at the 1986 World Cup is set to cash in by selling the ball the Argentina legend punched into the net.
Maradona opened the scoring during the quarter-final clash in controversial circumstances when he beat England keeper Peter Shilton to the punch early in the second half.
He followed it up just minutes later with a sensational solo effort, dubbed the Goal of the Century, before Gary Lineker netted a late consolation for the Three Lions at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Matchball owner Ali Bin Nasser, who took charge of the tie and failed to spot the handball, has agreed for it to be sold by Graham Budd Auctions on November 16.
And it is estimated the sought-after piece of football memorabilia could fetch up to £3million.
Recalling the hotly-disputed incident, ex-referee Bin Nasser, 78, said: “I couldn’t see it clearly. The two players, Shilton and Maradona, were facing me from behind.
“As per FIFA’s instructions issued before the tournament, I looked to my linesman for confirmation of the validity of the goal — he made his way back to the halfway line indicating he was satisfied the goal should stand.
“At the end of the match England head coach Bobby Robson said to me, ‘You did a good job but the linesman was irresponsible’.”
Maradona, who died in November 2020, claimed the goal was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”.
Grassroots support
Tottenham are helping grassroots football by investing in a football coaching app designed to improve players of all abilities.
Spurs have bought a stake in LV8 Sport, the technology company behind Grow Football.
Containing training drills and skills tests designed by the Premier League club’s academy coaches, the app has been given the seal of approval by the Tottenham youngsters who have trialled it.
Academy boss Dean Rastrick said: “Our academy players and coaches have worked closely with the team at Grow Football throughout the app’s development.
“We look forward to being part of this journey and offering our knowledge and experience to help Grow Football become an app that can genuinely enhance the way people around the world train and play.
“That commitment and belief in this app has only been strengthened by the club becoming shareholders in Grow Football.”
