ON THIS DAY - 1986: The Hand Of God: Diego Maradona

FOOTBALL - One of the most famous moments in football history came  in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, in a match between England and Argentina, which was played on 22 June 1986 in Mexico City. Chasing a loose ball, the diminutive Diego Maradona somehow leapt over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The referee thought that Maradona had used his head and declared the goal valid. Argentina won 2-1. In the ensuing press conference, Maradona famously claimed that it was ‘partly his head and partly the hand of God’.

ON THIS DAY - 1991: End to Maradona era in Naples

FOOTBALL - On 17 March 1991, the Napoli faithful would be allowed their last glance at the man that had given them so much joy for seven years. After that Serie A home match against Bari, Diego Maradona was suspended for the use of banned substances and did not return to Napoli afterwards. This is that man. In an epic love relationship with the ball. The year is 1989.

BIRTHDAY - 16 March: Carlos Bilardo (Football)

FOOTBALL - Carlos Bilardo is 73 years old today. ‘El Narigón’ (‘The Big Nose’) is famous for coaching Argentina in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which the Albiceleste won behind a formidable performance by captain and star player Diego Maradona. Bilardo was also part of Maradona’s staff when he led Argentina at the 2010 World Cup, in which Bilardo managed to draw attention to himself with a quote we will not repeat here. However, for the not so faint at heart

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