Diego Maradonas 1986 World Cup quarter-final shirt not for sale, says Englands Steve Hodge

Former England midfielder Steve Hodge who swapped shirts with Argentinian Diego Maradona following the Three Lions defeat in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final that saw Maradona score a brace in a 2-1 victory for Argentina has said the shirt is not for sale.

Maradona who died last week at the age of 60, following a heart attack, scored his infamous Hand of God goal during the match that saw England crash out of the tournament.

 The shirt is now on display at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Hodge said he had been inundated with enquiries over the shirt in recent days and dispelled rumours he was looking for a seven-figure sum to sell it.

“I have had it for 34 years and have never once tried to sell it,” Hodge, 58, told the BBC. “I like having it. It has incredible sentimental value.

“I’ve had people knocking on my door non-stop and the phone’s constantly ringing from every TV and radio station, and even foreign stations.

“It has been uncomfortable and it hasn’t been nice. I have seen articles on the internet and there has been a bit of flak flying around saying I wanted a million or two million and am hawking it around for money.

“I find it disrespectful and totally wrong. It’s not for sale. I am not trying to sell it.”

Hodge paid tribute to the “genius” of one of the greatest players the game has ever seen and said he never blamed Maradona for taking the chance of scoring with his hand.

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“I have to say I have never once blamed him for the handball. Not once,” he added. “It was out of order but people who play football know that you try things now and again.

“From every corner of the globe he was respected and people appreciated the genius he had. That game will never be forgotten in the history of football.”