World Cup 2018: Diego Maradona blasted by Fifa after he claims England win over Colombia was a ‘monumental theft’
The controversial Argentina legend has been outspoken over England and wore a Colombia shirt ahead of their clash against Gareth Southgate's side - but Fifa have slammed their paid ambassador in return
LEGENDARY cheat Diego Maradona has been slammed by Fifa after amazingly claiming Colombia were robbed in their defeat to England.
The barmy Argentinian suggested it was a Fifa conspiracy and even questioned the ref’s decision to award a blatant penalty.
Meanwhile, BBC pundit Alan Shearer accused the Colombians of cheating in a four-letter off-air rant after the Three Lions’ dramatic shootout win.
Maradona, who scored with his hand against England in the 1986 World Cup, claimed: “I saw a monumental theft. I apologise to all the Colombian people, but they must know the players are not to blame.”
He blasted American Mark Geiger for his 54th-minute penalty award, despite Carlos Sanchez wrestling Harry Kane to the ground in front of him.
But Fifa, who pay Maradona £10,000-a-game as an ambassador, hit back in a statement, saying the legend's "insinuations" were "entirely inappropriate and completely unfounded".
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The statement added: "At a time when Fifa is doing everything within its power to ensure principles of fair play, integrity and respect are at the forefront of this World Cup and how the organisation is now run, Fifa is extremely sorry to read such declarations from a player who has written the history of our game."
Maradona told a Venezuelan TV station: “The penalty was not a penalty. It was a foul by Kane. Why didn’t he use VAR?”
He claimed he had been reassured by Fifa president Gianni Infantino that “the thieves had left” the once-corrupt organisation.
But he went on: “Today we saw the opposite — an old and fixed Fifa.”
He also told how he went berserk at Colombia’s 93rd-minute equaliser — which at the time broke English hearts.
Maradona said: “I screamed Colombia’s goal as though I had been the one to head that ball because it’s not possible, you have to denounce this. As the captain of legends, I have to tell Infantino this cannot be left like this.
“This is a fatal mistake for a whole country.”
Maradona, previously an habitual consumer of Colombian cocaine, also described England manager Gareth Southgate’s substitutions as “insane”.
He was backed by Colombian media which claimed the ref was biased towards England, with six bookings to two.
One outlet whined: “There was no equality.”
Keeper David Ospina’s sister Daniela also posted on Instagram: “Referee, what would you say? I want to strangle you.”
Striker Radamel Falcao said after the game: “He only spoke English, some bias was certain.”Sun columnist Shearer blasted the Colombians for trying to provoke England in a string of controversial incidents.
Wilmar Barrios was lucky to escape a red card after headbutting Jordan Henderson while a Colombian coach barged Raheem Sterling at half-time.
The penalty spot was also deliberately scuffed during prolonged Colombian protests after the Kane award.
Ex-England striker Shearer, in the BBC Moscow studio for the Match of the Day highlights on Tuesday night, stormed after the game: “We don’t even care. Whatever way you want we’ll just talk about it. Who gives a s**t? We’ll smile and be happy and say ‘Well done lads’. Colombia you cheating, robbing, f***ing . . . ”
Presenter Gary Lineker can be heard laughing in the unaired footage.
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England supporters backed Shearer’s passionate assessment yesterday and called for Fifa to use VAR to punish Colombia.
Tom Down said: “Colombia are actually saying we cheated them out of the World Cup and are going to complain about it. So headbutting, piggy-back riding, managers barging into players who are walking off for half-time, scuffing penalty spots, time wasting from the start are all OK then?”
Steve Wareing added: “Fifa need to severely punish that horrible rabble!”
Carlos Bacca and Mateus Uribe, who missed penalties in the shootout, were yesterday given death threats by Colombian fans.