FIFA has rebuked Argentina legend, Diego Maradona, over his criticism of referee Mark Geiger, following England’s World Cup penalty shoot-out win over Colombia on Tuesday.
After the match, Maradona claimed Colombia were victims of a “monumental theft”.
FIFA has responded in a statement and described the 57-year-old’s comments as “entirely inappropriate and completely unfounded”.
“Following comments made by Diego Armando Maradona in relation to Tuesday’s round of 16 game, Colombia v England, FIFA strongly rebukes the criticism of the performance of the match officials which it considers to have been positive in a tough and highly emotional match.
“Furthermore, it also considers the additional comments and insinuations made as being entirely inappropriate and completely unfounded.
“At a time when FIFA is doing everything within its power to ensure principles of fair play, integrity and respect are at the forefront of this World Cup and how the organisation is now run, FIFA is extremely sorry to read such declarations from a player who has written the history of our game,” it read.
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