It’s a Novel Way to Settle a Score

At a press conference, Diego Maradona boasts that he cheated in scoring the crucial goal in a World Cup game, as was obvious to the world watching on TV. He destroyed the careers of the referee and linesman, humiliated his opponents, tainted his own formidable talent, soured his country’s victory--but is acclaimed a hero. A 1986 World Cup winner’s medal will be his.

In golf, tennis and other games, no one plays with a cheat, let alone an admitted one. At cards, they can get shot.

Would Grantland Rice write that Maradona’s country, the sport of soccer, his teammates or himself are winners or losers?

PIERS COONEY

Sun Valley