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We Don’t Hate Diego Maradona That Much Do We?

November 25th, 2008 | By: Daryl | 16 Comments »

As an England fan, I’ll always feel cheated by Diego Maradona. Mostly because he cheated us in 1986 by using his hand. But that was over twenty years ago. It’s long gone, and there’s no point in still being all pissy about it.

Terry Butcher seems to have a few problems letting go, but not as many problems as Ian Wellworth (pictured?) who was arrested outside Hampden Park last Wednesday for plotting to murder Maradona with a machete.

Here’s the report from SportsYA:

The aggressor, identified as Ian Wellworth, 43, unemployed, was detained when found in the possession of a machete outside Hampden Park Stadium, planning to decapitate the Argentine football legend.

It was reported that he was hoping to enact revenge on Maradona for his controversial “Hand of God” goal against England back in the 1986 World Cup.

Wellworth apparently made a bet on the game, and had borrowed money, but lost everything because of the result.

Obviously Ian Wellworth is insane. Most wannabe machete murderers are. But while most England fans wouldn’t take a big knife to El Diego’s head, there is still a desire for revenge in England. And I don’t think that’s healthy, because we may end up facing him again in 2010. And when we do, we’ll need level heads, not crazy heads.

Tags: Argentina, Diego Maradona, England, Ian Wellworth, machete, murder, Random

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Comments | Add your comment

By coach | November 26th, 2008 at 12:58 am

Wouldn’t be a big loss to the world.

Posted from United States

By diana | November 26th, 2008 at 5:24 am

I am aware of the report. Scary!

‘And when we do, we’ll need level heads, not crazy heads.’
Yeah. For all we know, we may face Argentina in the future. I was born in the year after the ‘Hand of God’ goal happened and I know my father is still very bitter over that, just like Terry Butcher. So I cannot say whether I hold a grudge against Maradona like Butcher. The events of the 1986 World Cup were all based on what my father remembered and I just take it in.

I only know that even if I had any grudge against anyone I know back in school for whatever reason (you would not want to know how twice I actually almost came close to a confrontation with another classmate in class, in front of everyone and even our teacher…before my friends had to calm me down on both occasions), I never wished they were dead after graduation. Given I just tell myself, we were once classmates after all. No point hating someone to the extent you wish he/she is dead.

Posted from Singapore

By Bra | November 26th, 2008 at 8:33 am

Not like Germans are still whining about the ‘66 goal-that-never-was…

Posted from United States

By christopher | November 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am

If I may say….Maradonna smaradonna….who cares about him, history has judged him very harshly.

No-one whined more than Argentina fans and players when they were summarily dismissed from the 2006 world cup by Germany.

Posted from Germany

By Rob | November 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

I can see why Butcher is pissed off, you don’t get many chances at a World Cup Quarter Final in life, and to be cheated so obviously out of yours would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Machete guy is obviously an absolute nutter. I’d like us to get revenge on the pitch, in the World Cup, by beating his Argentina side fair and indeed square.

By Juan | November 26th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

But hasn’t revenge already happened? Beckham scored the penalty and only goal in the 2002 World Cup 1-0 defeat against Argentina that lead to their early exit.

Posted from United States

By Mark | November 26th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

No, revenge hasn’t happened. The 2002 win only canceled out Argentina’s 1998 second round win over england.

By Albo | November 26th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

I am from Argentina and I don’t like Maradona been involved with our NT.
But I do think that this Argentina team will beat England 9 out of 10 times.
According to some of these postings then, the word “revenge” will keep being used and abused ’til the end of time.
Yet, we really don’t care much about England’s NT perfomances of late. Our most important opponent is and always will be Brazil.
Please keep in mind that although Maradona still has a lot of followers around the world, many Argentines (like myself) would be happier without him making decisions for the Albicelestes.
Saludos.

Posted from United States

By sid | November 26th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Albo ……..Brazil is argentina’s “Daddy”, not a rival or serious opponent.

Posted from United States

By Albo | November 26th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Sid, I have to agree with you.
However, my point is still valid.
Argentines don’t care much about England when it comes to international football.

Posted from United States

By Mike Dublin | November 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm

I’m alway amazed at the passionalte views that many still hold about the “hand of God” goal.
Personally I think that Maradonna was one of the finest players ever, what he did was wrong but his second goal showed his class. Yes it was very hard on the English team - but thats football - it is just as easy to blame the referee, linesmen etc for such a poor decision.

I just wonder how long this controversy will continue?

All the best from Ireland - great blog

Posted from Ireland