'Truly disgusting': England's response to Maradona tragedy slammed

Football fans have been left outraged by sections of the British media, over their reporting of Diego Maradona's death.

The tragic passing of the Argentine legend has rocked the sporting world, with social media inundated with tributes to the 60-year-old viewed by many as the greatest player the game has ever seen.

'ONE OF THE GREATEST': Nadal leads sporting world's tributes

'TROUBLED GENIUS': Maradona legacy complicated by scandals

'SHUT THE F*** UP': Stunning truth behind infamous Maradona act

The spotlight on Maradona shone almost as bright off the field as it did on, for the incomparably talented forward.

Controversy seemed to go hand-in-hand with Maradona's genius, with his infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, etched into footballing history.

So too, the 'goal of the century' that followed and Argentina's famous World Cup triumph that came off the back of his brilliance.

Following his tragic passing, the sporting world has been paying tribute to one of, if not the greatest player to have graced a football pitch.

In England, however, several tabloids have opted to dwell on the negativity surrounding the player, rather than pay respect to his unquestionable football genius.

Fury over British media’s Maradona reporting

The Daily Star has come under arguably the heaviest criticism, after leading with a front page image of Maradona's infamous goal, with the headline: “Where was VAR when we needed it most?”

The front page also contains a subjective and unnecessary statement about him being the "second greatest footballer to ever grace this earth”, along with a disrespectful line about his 'Hand of God' goal.

“Yes, he was a cheat. But WHAT a bloody amazing cheat he was,” it read.

The Daily Express - while arguably not as inflammatory - still decided to make light of his death with a front page that read: "RIP: The eternal, flawed genius... now safe in the hands of God."

The British media's treatment of the legendary figure's death has sparked outrage on social media.

England legend’s touching tribute to Maradona

Gary Lineker is certainly one of many Englishman happy to leave the past where it belongs and pay tribute to the diminutive figure, who will forever be remembered as one of the giants of the sport.

Lineker, who played against Maradona in the 'Hand of God' game, tweeted: "By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time.

"After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he'll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego"

The England legend also spoke in glowing terms about Maradona in a touching segment for BT Sport in the UK.

Maradona ended his playing career back in Argentina, returning to Boca. He had a brief and controversy-packed spell as Argentine national team coach from 2008 to 2010 before coaching in the Middle East and Mexico.

Years of drug use, overeating and alcoholism truncated his stellar career and altered his appearance from a lithe athlete who could slalom effortlessly through teams to a bloated addict who nearly died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000.

Maradona's recent health problems saw him admitted to hospital in La Plata, Argentina, earlier this month suffering from anaemia and mild dehydration.

A bleed in the brain was then discovered. He was released from hospital only to die a few days later.

Such was Maradona's legendary status in his homeland that Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona's death.

As well as guiding Argentina to World Cup success in Mexico in 1986, he also led the country to the final of the 1990 tournament in Italy, as well as managing them in South Africa in 2010.

Maradona's international playing career ended in shame when he failed a drugs test at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and he was notorious for a wayward lifestyle throughout his life.

He was also banned from football in 1991 after testing positive for cocaine while playing for Napoli.

However, he remained a revered figure at the Italian club, where he won two Serie A titles.

with agencies

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.