FIFA responds to Diego Maradona's complaints that Colombia was "stolen"

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FIFA has strongly reprimanded the so-called "captain of legends" Diego Maradona for his criticism of the referee during England's victory over Colombia on Tuesday.

In an interview with Venezuelan television channel Telesur, the 57-year-old Argentine described the result as "armed robbery" and blamed the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, for giving the match at the US referee Mark Geiger.
Maradona, who will receive 10,000 US dollars per FIFA match as part of his "Legends" ambassadors program, said that Collina "should apologize to the Colombian people" because Geiger "knows a lot about baseball but has no idea of ​​football ".

The captain of the 1986 World Cup accused English players of Geiger and said the referee should have reviewed and then canceled, his decision to grant Harry Kane a penalty in the second half .

Maradona, photographed in a Colombian jersey before the match, added: "I screamed at the equalization of Colombia as if I had been the only one to lead this ball because it is not possible – you must denounce this.

"As captain of legends, I must say (FIFA President Gianni) Infantino that this can not be left like this.It is a fatal mistake for a whole country."

This conversation with Infantino, however, might not be necessary, as FIFA responded to his rant.

In a statement, he said: "Following Diego Armando Maradona's comments regarding the knockout match between Colombia and England, FIFA strongly condemns the criticism of the match officials' performance that it considers as positive in a difficult and very emotional match

Maradona in the stands before the World Cup Group D match between Nigeria and Argentina (Owen Humphreys / PA)

"In addition, he also considers that the additional comments and insinuations are totally inappropriate and completely unfounded.

"At a time when FIFA is doing everything in its power to ensure the principles of fair play, integrity and respect are at the forefront of this World Cup and the World Cup. organization management, FIFA is extremely sorry to read these statements.a player who wrote the story of our game. "

Maradona was by far the most publicized and controversial of the many FIFA legends in Russia in 2018.

In one game, he was spotted breaking the anti-smoking laws of the stadium with a cigar lit and making oblique gestures towards South Korean fans. At another time, he made offensive moves to Nigerian fans after an Argentine goal and then had to be cured after an apparent collapse. There were also several photos and videos of him having a drink or two.

It should also be noted that Maradona does not speak for all legends of FIFA.

Former German captain Lothar Matthaus and the great Brazilian Ronaldo were at the launch of the annual awards of the FIFA players in Moscow on Wednesday and Matthaus said that he thought the referee should have been much more severe with the dispute and diving of Colombia. He also thought that England was worth to be won.

While Ronaldo, interviewed by a reporter about what he thought of Colombia's complaints, said, "How long have you been reporting on football?"

To which the answer was "17 years".

"Well, you'll know the loser is still moaning," Ronaldo replied.