Diego Maradona just yelled an anti-gay slur in the middle of the World Cup

Diego Maradona, widely considered to be the best footballer in history, is facing criticism after yelling an anti-gay insult on live TV.

The Argentinian legend celebrated his side’s winner against Nigeria last night (June 26) by giving the middle finger with both hands and yelling “puto” in the direction of other fans.

The word – which means “faggot” in Spanish – has already stirred controversy during the World Cup, with the Mexican Football Federation being fined around £7,600 by FIFA last week after fans used “puto” in their homophobic chants.

Maradona is a legend across the footballing world (Alex Morton/Getty)

This was after a World Cup qualification campaign in which Mexico was fined 11 times because of the term.

Maradona’s beloved team has also been censured, with Argentina fined £80,000 after fans were found to have got involved “in fights, throwing objects and homophobic and insulting chants.”

The 57-year-old, who won the World Cup in 1986 as his country’s captain, faced condemnation online after last night’s incident, with many fans accusing FIFA of a double standard after Mexico’s punishment.

Yo @FIFAWorldCup Maradona called a group of fans puto, What are ya going to do about it?

— Francisco Zenteno (@ZentenoDPaco) June 26, 2018

Maradona showing what a classy guy he is by giving the Nigerian fans the bird whilst shouting ‘puto’ which is a derogatory word for homosexuals. He really is a monumental twat
— WAFC Memories (@stefanbildstrup) June 26, 2018

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