He was allegedly seen by a journalist
Diego Maradona has reportedly been seen making 'racist gestures' in the stands whilst watching Argentina take on Iceland at during their group D tie at the Sparatak Stadium in Moscow.
British journalist Jacqui Oatley filmed the 57-year-old blowing kisses to fans in the crowd. However, she claims that things took an ugly turn when he appeared to make the gesture towards as group of Korean fans in the crowd.
Oatley wrote on Twitter: "Some South Korea fans just shouted “Diego” and he obliged with a smile, kiss and wave. Then pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture. All of us who saw it are stunned."
The claim was backed up by journalist Seema Jaswal, who wrote: "I’m sat right next to Jacqui and saw Maradona’s gesture. He should know better. The lads filming him were so excited to get a picture of him and that was his response. Very Disappointing."
Before the incident, Jacqui had tweeted a video of Maradona inside the Otkrytie Arena, posing for pictures with fans while smoking a cigar. She wrote: "Diego Maradona a few yards away from us smoking a lit cigar while posing for snaps with fans. It smells quite nice. #geezer"
https://twitter.com/JacquiOatley/status/1007986242020102144
https://twitter.com/JacquiOatley/status/1007989499287220224
https://twitter.com/JacquiOatley/status/1007991091554127878
https://twitter.com/meseemajaswal/status/1008000063489171456
The Argentinian is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to ever kick a ball, but he remains a controversial figure in the game, with his drug and financial problems well documented.
Throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, Maradona was addicted to cocaine - he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup after two games after failing a drug test for ephedrine doping. Maradona would claim in his autobiography that it was due to an energy drink that his personal trainer had advised him to drink.
He scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for the Argentinian national side and lifted the World Cup with his country in 1986. He then went on to manager Argentina from November 2008 and July 2010.
