Jinx this: Diego Maradona swears on TV after Argentine FA boss says he is bad luck for the team
Video: The legendary Argentinian footballer directed a middle finger at Julio Grondona on live television, after the head of the Argentinian Football Association said Maradona was a jinx for the national team
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There has never been much love between World Cup winner Diego Maradona and Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentina Football Association (AFA) since 1979.
Maradona labelled Grondona a liar following the former's acrimonious departure as head of the Argentinian team in 2010 after the unsuccessful World Cup campaign in South Africa.
Four years later and the animosity between the pair continues. Grondona accused the former manager of being a jinx on the national side, citing the fact that Lionel Messi only netted the winning goal against Iran on Saturday after Maradona had left the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.
Scroll down to watch video
Maradona left the Argentina versus Iran match early, evidently frustrated at seeing one of the strongest World Cup teams struggle to overcome a resolute Iranian team. It was only until he had left the stadium that Messi scored and secured Argentina's progression into the last 16.
Responding to Grondon's claim, Maradona said it was Messi’s own effort that ensured the team's victory and not because he had left the stadium. He then looked into the camera and brandished his middle finger, saying, "Jinx this".
At Argentina's first World Cup match in Brazil against Bosnia last weekend, Maradona claimed that Fifa officials turned him away from the Maracana.
“I was not allowed to go in to the game,” he told the Argentinian channel TyC Sports. “So I had to return to the hotel to see the second half. I did everything I could but they would not let us in."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments