Fifa has issued a stinging response to Diego Maradona’s claim that England committed a “monumental robbery” in their penalty shootout victory over Colombia, with the governing body saying it “strongly rebukes” the Argentine great’s comments.

Maradona could be seen cheering on Colombia inside the Spartak Stadium – complete in one of their jerseys – after Argentina were knocked out by France last Saturday. But his South American spirit appeared to get the better of him when he launched into a verbal tirade about referee Mark Geiger’s apparent favouritism towards the Three Lions.

"Here's a gentleman who decides, a referee who, if you Google him, shouldn't be given a match of this magnitude... Geiger, an American, what a coincidence," Maradona said on Venezuelan television.

Colombia vs England: Story of the game Show all 100 1 /100 Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's players celebrate after defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game The England players line up Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Former Colombian football player Valderrama during the national anthem AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia players gather in a circle prior to the match AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane heads at goal REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Dele Alli reacts AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane is challenged by Santiago Arias Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game England fans cheer AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado and Harry Maguire go up for the ball AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane heads towards goal next to Yerry Mina AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson argues with referee Mark Geiger AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game A Colombia fan cheers AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kieran Trippier kicks the ball AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Johan Mojica and Dele Alli compete for the ball EPA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Ashley Young falls against Santiago Arias AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling on the ball AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Gareth Southgate gestures towards Dele Alli REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao gestures AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Maguire reacts REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado is fouled by Harry Maguire Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Falcao argues withKieran Trippier AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane fouled by Jefferson Lerma Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane fouled by Jefferson Lerma Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jesse Lingard and team mates react after Jordan Henderson goes down following a clash with Wilmar Barrios REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia and England players clash while Harry Maguire makes a VAR gesture REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson reacts after Wilmar Barrios headbutts him Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Wilmar Barrios is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kieran Trippier gestures AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Hendersonin action against Jefferson Lerma EPA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Dele Alli lies on the pitch Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling being barged by a member of the Colombia coaching staff at the end of the first half ITV Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kyle Walker REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez holds Harry Kane in front of referee Mark Geiger to concede a penalty Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouls Harry Kane AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouling Harry Kane AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouls Harry Kane EPA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouls Harry Kane REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane scores the opening goal from a penalty Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's Harry Kane, left, scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the round of 16 match between Colombia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Antonio Calanni AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England's Harry Kane scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/John Sibley JOHN SIBLEY REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane celebrates scoring the first goal REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 03: Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Dan Mullan Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 EEngland's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov MAXIM SHEMETOV REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's forward Harry Kane celebrates after scoring the opening goal from a penalty spot during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Colombia and England at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Alexander NEMENOV / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images ALEXANDER NEMENOV AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Gareth Southgate celebrates England's opening goal Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the round of 16 match between Colombia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) Victor R. Caivano AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's players celebrate the opening goal AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game James Rodriguez reacts in the stands EPA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Ashley Young lies on the pitch after sustaining an injury REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao appeals to the referee PA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane jumps for the ball REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling reacts Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jesse Lingard being tackled by Davinson Sanchez in the penalty area Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England's Jesse Lingard in action with Colombia's Davinson Sanchez in the penalty area REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach KAI PFAFFENBACH REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane cools down PA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Dele Alli is congratulated by Gareth Southgate after being replaced Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado reacts AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane watches the ball on the net AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao reacts REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kyle Walker reacts next to Jordan Pickford AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia fans react AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game The fourth official announces five minutes of injury time PA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling embraces Gareth Southgate after being substituted AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford makes a save Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina scores REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford concedes a goal scored by Yerry Mina REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina celebrates after scoring Colombia's equalising goal REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game England players look dejected after conceding REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 03: Yerry Mina of Colombia celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Clive Rose Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina celebrates with fans REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game James Rodriguez celebrates from the stands after Yerry Mina scored AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game John Stones and Harry Maguire hug PA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina celebrates scoring Peter Dovgan/UK Sports Pics Ltd Colombia vs England: Story of the game Gareth Southgate speaks with players before extra time Reuters Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia coach Jose Pekerman speaks with players before extra time REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Ashley Young clashes with Wilmar Barrios REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford makes a save AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jamie Vardy jumps for the ball with Yerry Mina AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Luis Muriel and Kieran Trippier react EPA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson sits injured PA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jamie Vardy tries to shoot AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Bacca vies with Kyle Walker AFP/Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kyle Walker reacts as he holds his leg REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Danny Rose reacts as his shot goes wide REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao scores first for Colombia during the penalty shootout REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane scores the first penalty for England REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado scores Colombia's second penalty REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Marcus Rashford scored England's second penalty REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Luis Muriel celebrates scoring Colombia's third penalty REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson reacts after missing England's third penalty REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Mateus Uribe hits the bar when taking Colombia's fourth penalty EPA Colombia vs England: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England's Kieran Trippier scores a penalty during the shootout REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach KAI PFAFFENBACH REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford saves Carlos Bacca's penalty REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 03: Eric Dier of England scores his team's fifth penalty in the penalty shoot out to win the match during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Clive Rose Getty Images Colombia vs England: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England players celebrate while Colombia react after the penalty shootout REUTERS/Christian Hartmann TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY CHRISTIAN HARTMANN REUTERS Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's Harry Kane, right, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, centre, and Kieran Trippier celebrate with teammates at the end of the round of 16 match between Colombia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. England won after a penalty shoot out. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) Victor R. Caivano AP Colombia vs England: Story of the game England players celebrate winning the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2018, round of 16 match at the Spartak Stadium, Moscow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 3, 2018. See PA story WORLDCUP Colombia. Photo credit should read: Tim Goode/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use with any unofficial 3rd party logos. No manipulation of images. No video emulation Tim Goode PA

"I'm just sorry for the whole Colombian people. I cheered Colombia's goal as if I had headed it myself."

His comments provoked a stern reaction from Fifa, who said that his words were “entirely inappropriate” and made them “extremely sorry” that a legend of the competition had made such accusations.

“Following comments made by Diego Armando Maradona in relation to yesterday’s round of 16 game, Colombia vs England, Fifa strongly rebukes the criticism of the performance of the match officials which it considers to have been positive in a tough and highly emotional match.

“Furthermore, it also considers the additional comments and insinuations made as being entirely inappropriate and completely unfounded. At a time when Fifa is doing everything within its power to ensure principles of fair play, integrity and respect are at the forefront of this World Cup and how the organisation is now run, Fifa is extremely sorry to read such declarations from a player who has written the history of our game.”

The stinging rebuttal comes as something of a surprise given that Maradona has been attending games in Russia as a VIP guest of Fifa’s, with the 57-year-old listed among the ‘Fifa Legends’ that have been invited to the World Cup.

Fifa has hit out at Diego Maradona (EPA)