An English Rant

I don't think we'll ever hear the end of the 'Hand of God' controversy.

It's been twenty-two years since Diego Maradona scored that illegal goal in the quarter-final win against England in the World Cup.

Twenty-two years and still we hear about how England would have left Mexico as World champions.

Whatever.

Maradona brings his Argentinian team to Scotland tonight for a friendly. However, the build-up to the game has been anything but friendly.

Terry Butcher - one of Maradona's opponents that fateful night - is now an assistant coach for the Scottish International team and he has refused to shake Maradona's hand before or after tonight's match.

The press has hyped up this animosity. At a press conference yesterday, Maradona was asked about it. He remained professional enough to say that Butcher has his opinion and whether they shake hands or not isn't that important.

And it isn't. Is it?

Let's look at Mr. Butcher for starters.

Here is a guy who is still bitter about that loss after all these years. Is it supposed to be some 'I am English through and through' thing? If so, why is he working for his country's biggest rivals?

It comes across as nothing but arrogance on his part.

And let's not forget the 2-1 result in Mexico and put the ball on the other foot - or should that be fist?

Had it been England that scored a goal via a handball would they have been so quick to dismiss the victory? I know what the argument would have been.

'We still won the game 2-1 and could have won on penalties.'

Let's not start talking about penalties...