DIEGO Maradona's eldest daughter claims that the Argentina shirt expected to sell for several million dollars when it is sold at auction this month is not the one her late father wore when he scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal against England.
Dalma Maradona said the shirt due to go under the hammer was actually the one worn by her father during the goalless first half of the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.
Steve Hodge, the former England player who says Maradona swapped shirts with him at the end of the game in Mexico City, is selling the shirt, which is set to fetch more than £4 million ($5.2 million).
Auctioneers Sotheby's strongly refuted Dalma Maradona's claims on Thursday, saying an external company had provided a "conclusive photomatch" that proved it was authentic.
Sotheby's also noted that Maradona himself had previously acknowledged swapping his shirt with Hodge in the player's tunnel after their 1986 World Cup classic.
However Dalma Maradona maintains the jersey her father wore in the second half -- when he also scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history -- was in the hands of another owner, but declined to name them.
"It's not that one. I don't want to say who has it because it's crazy. He (Diego Maradona) said it. He said, 'How am I going to give him the shirt of my life?'" she told reporters.
"This former player thinks he has my dad's second-half jersey, but it's a mix-up. He has the one from the first half.
"We wanted to clarify that so that people who want to buy it know the truth," Dalma said in separate comments to Channel 13 television.
- 'Extensive diligence' -
A Sotheby's spokeswoman told AFP: "There was indeed a different shirt worn by Maradona in the first half, but there are clear differences between that and what was worn during the goals.
"And so, prior to putting this shirt for sale, we did extensive diligence and scientific research on the item to make sure it was the shirt worn by Maradona in the second half for the two goals."
The photomatching process had involved matching the shirt "to both goals examining unique details on various elements of the item, including the patch, stripes, and numbering."
It added that Maradona himself had acknowledged the provenance of the shirt himself, in his book "Touched by God," and he recalls giving it to Hodge at the end of the match.
"On the way to the locker room, one of the English guys - it turned out to be Hodge, but I wasn't sure at the time - asked me to swap jerseys with him. I said yes and we did," Maradona wrote in his 2016 memoir about Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph.
Hodge, who wrote a 2010 autobiography titled "The Man with Maradona's Shirt," paints a similar picture of the exchange.
"Maradona was walking with two of his teammates. I looked him in the eye, tugged on my shirt as if to say 'any chance of swapping?', and he came straight across, motioned a prayer, and we exchanged shirts. And that was it. It was just as simple as that," he said.
The Sotheby's spokeswoman also noted that the shirt had been a prized exhibit at England's National Football Museum for the past two decades, "where countless people have seen it."
"There has never been a claim that it's not the shirt," she said.
The online auction is scheduled for April 20 to May 4.
It is not the first time that the authenticity of a football shirt being auctioned has come under scrutiny.
In 2018, a jersey reputedly worn by Zinedine Zidane during France's 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil was withdrawn from auction shortly before going under the hammer following doubts over its authenticity.
ETX Studio
Fri Apr 08 2022

Is the jersey auctioned by Sotheby's the one Maradona wore during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal? - ETX Studio

Sabah has allocated over RM75 million for education aid initiatives - Hajiji
Sabah has allocated RM75.5 million this year to implement 13 education aid initiatives for students, schools, parent-teacher associations, as well as Sabah student associations

Ismail Sabri will continue providing statement tomorrow - Azam
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has confirmed that former PM Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will return tomorrow morning to continue providing his statement

PM Anwar wants faster implementation of rural infrastructure projects
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today directed the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) to expedite basic infrastructure projects that are crucial for the well-being of the people.

Russia lays out demands for talks with US on Ukraine, sources say
Russia has presented the U.S. with a list of demands for a deal to end its war against Ukraine and reset relations with the US, sources say

Astro launches Max on the Ultra and Ulti Box, bringing more premium entertainment options to Malaysian homes
Astro, Malaysias leading content and entertainment provider, today announced that Max, the premier streaming service from Warner Bros.

Duterte takes responsibility for Philippines drug war, anticipates long ICC battle
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he takes full responsibility for his administration's "war on drugs"

Canada announces plan to ease Syria sanctions
The Canadian government on Wednesday announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria during what it called a period of transition.

Zii Jia pulls out of Swiss Open due to injury
Malaysia's men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has withdrawn from next week's Swiss Open due to a recurring right ankle injury.

MCMC probes man for uploading fake content on social media
A 47-year-old Malaysian man is being investigated for allegedly uploading fake content that touches on the 3R (religion, race and royalty) on social media.

KPDN calls on public to help report bottled cooking oil shortage
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has urged the public to be the eyes and ears of the ministry and report shortages of bottled cooking oil in their areas.

ICJ to hold public hearings on Israel's obligations in occupied Palestinian territory
The International Court of Justice will hold hearings next month on Israel's obligations towards Palestinians, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

Anwar: Sapura Energy's rescue plan excludes former shareholders
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Sapura Energy Bhd's (SEB) former major shareholders are no longer involved in the company's management as part of its restructuring efforts.

Intel names Lip-Bu Tan as new CEO
Intel Corporation (INTC.O) has appointed semiconductor Malaysian-born industry veteran and former board member Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO.

Ismail Sabri at MACC HQ to give statement
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here today to give his statement

Duterte could face up to 30 years or life imprisonment if convicted by ICC - Malacanang
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte could face up to 30 years or life imprisonment if convicted of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Clarification on the investment in Sapura Energy by MDH
Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) as the existing significant shareholder of SEB.

Floods recede in Beaufort, but residents remain wary of downstream water flow
While floods in Beaufort are receding, residents remain on alert for downstream water flow that could bring floodwaters from inland areas.

Govt to ensure establishment of SEGiM aligns with introduction of Gig Workers Bill
The government intends to ensure that the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) is in line with the introduction of the Gig Workers Bill.

UK steel industry warns of damage as Trump tariffs come into force
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on UK steel "couldn't come at a worse time," the industry has warned as the levy on US imports is introduced, reported PA Media/dpa news.

Penang allocates RM49.45 million for Phase 1 of i-Sejahtera Programme
The Penang government has allocated RM49.45 million for 274,151 recipients under Phase 1 of the i-Sejahtera Programme this year.