The auction of a trophy awarded to the late Diego Maradona has been postponed by French auction house Aguttes amid a judicial investigation into the possible resale of stolen goods. Maradona's heirs attempted to halt the auction of the Golden Ball trophy he received for his performance in the 1986 World Cup but were unsuccessful in their urgent judicial motion. A French court allowed the auction to proceed, although an appeal was lodged by the heirs' lawyer.
Aguttes stated, 'Maradona has always aroused passions, and this continues despite the recent court ruling. Our mission is to organize the auction under the best conditions, but the current litigious climate and uncertainties hinder a calm acquisition process for connoisseurs.'
A new date for the auction has not been determined. French judicial officials initiated an investigation following a complaint regarding the resale of allegedly stolen goods. The Nanterre prosecutor's office confirmed that the court ruling did not affect the ongoing probe.
The Golden Ball had been missing for years before resurfacing recently. Maradona's heirs claim the trophy was stolen and argue that the current owner has no right to sell it. Aguttes mentioned that the trophy reappeared in 2016 as part of a private collection acquired at an auction in Paris.
The current owner and Aguttes maintain that they were unaware of the trophy's stolen status when it was purchased. Maradona was awarded the Golden Ball in 1986 at a ceremony in Paris but it disappeared shortly after, leading to various speculations about its whereabouts.
The French court ruling highlighted the absence of any criminal complaint by Maradona during his lifetime regarding the trophy's theft. Maradona's heirs failed to provide evidence of a police investigation when the trophy went missing.
Maradona, who passed away in 2020, led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany. His iconic 'Hand of God' goal and 'Goal of the Century' in a match against England are etched in football history.
Aguttes anticipates that the trophy, due to its uniqueness, will command a significant price at auction. The 'Hand of God' goal, where Maradona controversially punched the ball into England's net, and his subsequent mesmerizing solo goal against England are legendary moments in World Cup history.
