Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who conceded the infamous ‘God of Hand’ goal in the 1986 World Cup, said Argentina great Diego Maradona possessed “greatness but not sportsmanship”. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Shilton said that he most disliked the fact that Maradona has never seemed apologetic for the first of his two goals in the quarter-final, AFP reported. 

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Maradona, who died on Wednesday following a heart attack, scored two more goals in the semi-final win over Belgium before assisting the winner in the final against West Germany. 

“What I don’t like is that he never apologised,” Shilton said, while also describing Maradona as “the greatest player I ever faced”. 

“Never at any stage did he say he had cheated and that he would like to say sorry. Instead, he used his ‘Hand of God’ line. That wasn’t right. It seems he had greatness in him but sadly no sportsmanship.”

“My life has long been linked with that of Diego Maradona, and not in the way I would have liked,” Shilton, who made 125 appearances for England and won two European Cups with Nottingham Forest, added. 

“But I am saddened to hear of his passing at such a young age. He was undoubtedly the greatest player I ever faced and my thoughts are with his family.”

Shilton, who reached the 1990 World Cup semi-final where England lost to Germany on penalties, said England were still reeling from conceding the first goal when Maradona scored what was later dubbed as the ‘goal of the century’. 

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“It was a great goal but we were in no doubt, without the first goal he would not have scored the second,” he said. 

Shilton also said that he turned down multiple opportunities to appear with Maradona. 

“My approach to that was always the same, that I would be happy to do it if I thought he was going to apologise. I would have shaken his hand. But I was never given any indication that was likely to happen.”

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“Once I was asked to go on a talk show with him in Argentina. But again it didn’t feel right. I felt it was all going to be a bit of a gimmick so I stayed away and I think I made the right decision.”

Shilton said he hoped the infamous goal does not overshadow the former Barcelona and Napoli star’s otherworldly abilities. 

“I hope it doesn’t taint Maradona’s legacy. Like I said, he was a truly great player, up there with the likes of Pele. He was a special talent and it’s hard to believe he has passed away at only 60.”