The referee in 'Hand of God' talked about Maradona and remembered what Diego told him

Ali Bennaceur is the referee who allowed the maybe most famous goal ever in soccer. He was there when Maradona scored against England twice in Azteca Stadium en 1986, firstly with the ‘Hand of God’ and then with the best goal of the century. Bennaceur talked for the first time since Diego’s passing and remembered him fondly.

The Tunisian referee explained he allowed the ‘Hand of God’ because he did not see Maradona punching the ball and his lineman Bogdan Dochev stated the goal was legit. About his passing, Bennaceur said he cried devastated when the news came out, given he respected him a lot and Diego even visited him some years after his retirement.

In that visit, the referee asked Maradona why he hit the ball with his left hand, where did that idea come from. And the star replied saying simply because he wanted to beat England. He wanted to win that match no matter how. He described Maradona as a warrior who loved his country and his shirt, as a great man, a great player and a great friend.

Bennaceur even asked his translator to tell him that Argentina did not win that World Cup, but Maradona himself. He had refereed great players before, but Diego was something else. This former referee told everyone how proud and happy he is about having met this soccer legend and how it cheered his life.