Controversy Brewing Behind Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' Jersey Auction

The “Hand of God” incident during the semifinal match between Argentina and England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup has been the stuff of legend on the global football scene, and the jersey that Diego Maradona wore to score the said goal is now supposedly going up for sale in an auction.

However, the Argentinian legend’s family is refuting the authenticity of this jersey as multiple members revealed.

Maradona’s eldest daughter, Dalma, said as much in a recent guesting on an Argentine radio show as quoted by outlet Ole.com.ar.

“Actually, it’s not the shirt my father scored those goals in, I want to leave that clear. I know who has the shirt — I don’t want to say who it is because that would be crazy. I’m telling you,” she revealed.

This claim was backed up by the player’s ex-wife in Claudia Villafane.

“It’s going to be our word against this ex-player’s [word]. The one this man has is the first-half shirt, which if he wants to auction it off is a sin unless he wants to sell it and do something for charity,” Villafane stated.

The ex-player in question is England midfielder Steve Hodge, who acted as the unintentional catalyst of the entire incident.

Hodge’s Maradona jersey, as he said, was received in a swap in the tunnel after the match.

“I have been the proud owner of this item for over 35 years, since Diego and I swapped shirts in the tunnel after the famed match,” Hodge attested via Sotheby’s auction house press release about the jersey sale.

Lalo Maradona, the youngest brother to the football icon, spoke with The Athletic about the situation and corroborated both claims mentioned earlier by his close family ties.

“What Claudia and Dalma are saying is true. That shirt that they (Sotheby’s) have is from the first half, which is what [Claudia and Dalm] said on TV yesterday. The real shirt, the one he scored the goals in, Claudia and his daughter have. I don’t have any idea where the shirt is,” he asserted.

Sotheby’s deputy director of communications Melica Khansari went on to say that they hired authentication firm Resolution Photomatching to confirm the authenticity of the “Hand of God” jersey Hodge has.

“Resolution Photomatching was able to make a conclusive photomatch to the celebration following ‘The Hand of God’ goal. Resolution Photomatching did determine that Maradona switched shirts during the match, but that Maradona did wear this shirt for both historic goals in the 2nd half of the match,” Khansari disclosed.

The statements made by all parties involved has only made the “Hand of God” jersey even more desirable to any prospective buyer and speaks to the legacy of Maradona as one of the sport’s all-time greats.