Buenos Aires (AFP)

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona called for a new "hand of God" to end the coronavirus pandemic, alluding to his hand-scored goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.

"What is happening to us, many people say it is a new hand from God. But today I am asking for this hand to end this pandemic so that people can live their lives again, healthy and happy, "said Maradona, whose words were reported by the Argentinian newspaper Clarin.

In 1986, in Mexico, Maradona had spontaneously replied that "it was the hand of God" to journalists about the first of his two goals scored against England (2-1) in the quarterfinal of the World Cup won by the Albiceleste.

The current coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, 59, also spoke about the decision of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) to end the 2019-2020 season, due to the Covid-19, and to suspend relegations for this season and the next.

"It is not the end we would have liked, we were convinced that we would be saved on the field," said Maradona, while the suspension of relegations favored his club. Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, was 19th out of 24 at the time of the interruption of the championship.

However, he supported the decision of the president of the AFA, Claudio Tapia, while Argentina has been confined since March 20 and that the sporting events should take more time before resuming.

Maradona said Argentinian football clubs could face two difficult economic years after the pandemic.

"I hope we understand that what is to come, we have to face it together for the good of Argentinian football. No one is Rambo to win this war, just because even Rambo loses against it", warned "El pibe de oro".

© 2020 AFP