BBC SPORT
The ball used by Diego
Maradona to score two of the most famous goals in football history is to go on
auction.
The match ball used in the famous 1986 World
Cup quarter final between England and Argentina carries an estimated price of
£2.5m to £3m.
It is being sold by Ali Bin Nasser, the
Tunisian referee who allowed Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal during the game.
Bin Nasser said: "This ball is part of
football history - it is the right time to be sharing it with the world."
The ball was used for
the full 90 minutes of the match, which remains one of the most defining and
controversial contests in World Cup history.
Maradona scored the opener by punching the
ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Bin Nasser did not spot the handball and
allowed the goal to stand, with the player later describing it as being "a
little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God".
Maradona's second strike of the match has
become known as the 'goal of the century, where he dribbled past five England
outfield players and slotted past Shilton.
Argentina went on to win the match 2-1 and
eventually won the World Cup in Mexico.
The ball is being sold at auction on 16
November as part of a World Cup special event. It will be streamed live and
prospective buyers can register their bids online from 28 October.