Not many outside of Argentina know Ali Bennaceur, the Tunisian referee who failed to spot Diego Maradona’s sleight of hand in scoring the most controversial goal in probably all of sporting history. Steve Hodge’s mis-kick off Hector Enrique’s flick causes the ball to balloon up and towards the England goal. Maradona races forward and he and Peter Shilton go up with the Argentinian sticking his hand up to nudge the ball into goal.
Bennaceur was about 20 yards behind at the point of contact and probably did not have a clear line of vision. Shilton indicates the ball came off the hand as Maradona runs off to the sidelines to celebrate with a gaggle of Argentinians following him. Glenn Hoddle and Terry Fenwick can be seen protesting to the referee. The commentators initially think it’s an offside they’re protesting before the replays make it more obvious.
A legend is born. With the “Hand of God” goal, cheekily termed by Maradona himself and the extra-ordinary second goal outrunning almost the entire England defence, the 1986 World Cup was Maradona’s World Cup. Almost 30 years later, the Argentinian made the journey to Tunisia for an emotional reunion with Bennaceur. The referee was greeted with a peck on the cheek and presented a jersey bearing the words, “For Ali, my eternal friend.”