Word reaches me that Ossie plans not to attend my forthcoming talk at London’s Canning House on “The myth of Maradona (see news)”out of loyalty to his old friend”. Diego, as it is public knowledge, did not take kindly to the publication of my biography Hand of God, because it exposed his descent into drugs and other demons. The book could not have been written without the cooperation of several of Maradona’s friends who recognised that I was attempting to move beyond the normal confines of sports journalism to get at the truth of the flawed genius. Ardiles refused to be interviewed for the book after commenting, speaking of Maradona, that “the truth hurts.” He was one of a few number of people who refuse to co-operate with me on the project on the grounds that it was unauthorised and therefore disloyal to Maradona.
I respect Ossie’s attitude rather more that that of others whose reason for avoiding me turned out to be they had much too much to hide. My book Hand of God would not have been possible, however, without the help of many more both within Maradona’s intimate circle and outside it who provided much insight, comment, and fact. If Ossie hasn’t read the book, he should. He might not find it all that bad.
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