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World Cup legend Diego Maradona has been accused of making a racist gesture while watching the 1-1 draw between Argentina and Iceland on Saturday.
The 57-year-old was spotted in the Spartak Stadium stands near to the press box where members of the media were located, and he was happy to pose for pictures with fans throughout the game.
But ITV presenter Jacqui Oatley , who was also in the stadium as part of the broadcaster’s coverage of the encounter, claimed that Maradona made a “clearly racist gesture” after young South Korean fans shouted and waved at him.
Argentina vs Iceland - player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Willy Caballero 5/10 Did not look particularly comfortable at any stage of the game and like the rest of the defence a bit haphazard at times - susceptible for the first goal.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Eduardo Salvio 6/10 A rather uninspiring performance - not much to say either negatively or positively.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Nicolas Otamendi 6/10 A strong presence but has also got a mistake and chaotic decision in him.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Marcos Rojo 5/10 Doesn’t appear to be at full fitness. Hasn’t been in the first team at Manchester United for most of the season and it showed with Finnbogason running him ragged. Did, inadvertently, set up Argentina’s only goal, mind.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Nicolas Tagliafico 6/10 A very reasonable display and looked okay going forward with a cleverly flicked header.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Javier Mascherano 7/10 Showed a good range of passing but a bit leggy.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Lucas Biglia 7/10 Looked good in stages, had a couple of threatening moments and linked up the play nicely.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Maximiliano Meza 6/10 A few histrionic moments but a relatively decent performance in general and made the run for the penalty.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Lionel Messi 6/10 Not the main man today, but good at what he did. Always looks a threat and tested the keeper enough times BUT, importantly, missed the golden opportunity provided to him with another penalty miss.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Angel Di Maria 5/10 Looked good in stages, had a couple of threatening moments and linked up the play nicely.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Sergio Aguero 8/10 Fabulous play for the opening goal to give himself the space. General play was reasonable but doesn’t matter when you can produce moments of magic.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Hannes Þór Halldórsson 9/10 Strong and decisive (unlike his opposite number), making saves when called upon and saved the penalty from Messi.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Birkir Már Sævarsson 7/10 A good and competent display, part of an organised unit.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Kári Árnason 7/10 A key figure in iceland’s defence looked at ease defending against some of the world’s best talent.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Ragnar Sigurðsson 8/10 Crucial interceptions and a threat going forwards as well. Can be proud of his performance.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Hörður Björgvin Magnússon 6/10 A steady if unspectacular game but a big part of Iceland’s defensive block in general.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings JB Gudmundsson 7/10 Played a big part for Burnley this year in helping them qualify for Europa League and was equally instrumental today before his injury on the hour mark.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Aron Gunnarsson 6/10 Not his best game, but not bad. Maybe we can blame the ref for standing on his heel. Still led the team with vigour.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Emil Hallfreðsson 7/10 Strong performance in general and some threatening long-throws.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Birkir Bjarnason 6/10 The Aston Villa man who opened Iceland’s account at Euro 2016 squandered the chance to do so here but a generally good performance.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Gylfi Sigurðsson 8/10 Iceland’s best known player didn’t let down his team today, creating chances and showed Iceland’s coolness on the ball.
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Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Alfreð Finnbogason 9/10 Led the line like a true number 9 (despite being a no.11) but scored the goal and looked a menace throughout.
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“Maradona not so cool now. 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,” Oatley posted on Twitter.
Other reporters also posted messages on social media expressing their disbelief that the former Argentina international had performed such a gesture, with presenter Seema Jaswal admitting that Maradona “should know better”.
Maradona was also spotted smoking a large cigar during the match even though the stadium is a non-smoking venue.
He played at four World Cups during his career between 1982 and 1994, making 91 appearances for the Argentina national team and scoring 34 goals in an illustrious career that saw him lift the famous World Cup trophy in 1986.
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