Diego Maradona on Sunday denied newspaper reports that he had asked for forgiveness for his "hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup during a recent visit to England, and swore at teammates who had commented on the remarks.

"I did not ask forgiveness from England," Maradona told reporters at an Ezeiza International Airport, in Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Maradona scored the goal with a punch, illegal but not seen by the game's referee. Thanks to that goal, Argentina defeated England 2-1, knocking them out of 1986's World Cup.

On Thursday last week, British tabloid The Sun reported that Maradona had told reporters, "if I could apologize and change history I would. But the goal remains a goal. Argentina became world champion and I was the best player in the World Cup."

On Sunday in Argentina, Maradona said, "At no time did I apologize to anyone. I said you can't change history." He added that he had beaten a host of players on his way to the disputed goal.

After the match he described the unseen handball offense which beat then England goalkeeper as "the hand of God". Shilton last week rejected Maradona's alleged apology.

Maradona responded with an attack on Shilton saying, "now that's one hell of a goalkeeper. When they beat him, not even his son will greet him in the street."

"If I have to apologize to anyone it is to my daughters, my parents and all the fans of Boca Juniors, because I missed five penalties," he added.

He also went on to call "putos" (gays or male whores) Argentine soccer players who had publicly commented on the interview before he had spoken about it.

"To those who spoke before I got a chance, who were on the team in 1986 but did not know me either on or off the field, I say you are very 'putos'," Maradona told reporters.

Argentine internationals Ricardo Giusti, Julio Olarticoechea and Jorge Burrachaga had criticized Maradona's published comments.

Maradona also described the British as "very naive. They took information that did not say that. I would like you to show me the recording in English and that is what I will tell them," he added.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2008)