Maradona Pleads for 'Hand of God' to End Pandemic

Diego Maradona, the Argentine football legend has asked the Hand of God to deliver the world from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Argentine Football Association voted to suspend relegation for two seasons on Tuesday, which has saved Maradona's rock-bottom team from the drop.

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.

This has saved Maradona-managed bottom club Gimnasia from relegation.

“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.”

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.”

AFP

April 30, 2020