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The linesman who failed to disallow Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal died haunted by the controversial incident, his widow says.

Bulgarian official Bogdan Dochev later admitted he had seen the Argentine striker punch the ball into the net at 1986 World Cup against England.

But he said referee Ali Bin Nasser had told him not to make any big decisions in the game.

Mr Dochev struggled to cope with the scrutiny he came under over the goal which knocked England out of the competition.

He even scrawled "Maradona is my gravedigger" on a picture of the star.

(Image: Getty)

Widow Emily said: "The referee said 'You don’t have to do any work - it will be all my calls'.

"I’ll never forgive that referee and I’ll never forgive Diego Maradona.

"After the World Cup our life was ruined.

"Bogdan withdrew into himself and friends never said hello to me again."

(Image: Getty Images)

"It wasn’t a Hand of God for us, it was a kick in the teeth."

Earlier this year, ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton said he still has a "bad feeling" towards Maradona because he never apologised for cheating.

After gauging opinion on social media, Shilton, 68, said he will refuse to meet Maradona if he comes to England this summer.

The Argentine said in 2005: "The truth is that I don't for a second regret scoring that goal with my hand."