Diego Maradona has issued a public apology to FIFA and president Gianni Infantino for inflammatory comments made following England's victory over Colombia in the last 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday.
England advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition courtesy of a 4-3 penalty shootout victory, with many of the post-match headlines focused on Maradona's rant.
Taking on an Instagram video on Thursday to make amends, Maradona admitted that he had said some 'unacceptable things' in the excitement of rooting for Colombia, in whose shirt he was pictured before the match.
'My apologies to FIFA and its president: as much as I may sometimes have opinions contrary to some arbitration decisions, I have absolute respect for the work - not easy - that the institution and the referees do,' he said.
Maradona had initially caused controversy by describing the result of the tie as a 'monumental theft'.
He strongly criticised the performance and suitability of American official Mark Geiger and stated that FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina should 'apologise to the Colombian people'.
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