Maradona and the British media

Boyle, R. (2023) Maradona and the British media. In: Brescia, P. and Paz, M. (eds.) Diego Maradona: A Socio-Cultural Study. Routledge: London, pp. 89-104. ISBN 9781032052090

Abstract

This chapter examines the range of representations of Maradona found over the decades in the British media, with particular focus on newspaper coverage. It looks at how the media in Britain told the Maradona story from his arrival in Scotland in June 1979, where he scored his first international goal as an 18-year-old, through to his death. It argues that within the British media, the Scottish and London based media treated Maradona differently and examines the cultural reasons for this. It suggests there are four stages in the relationship. Initially the reporting of Maradona, the footballing genius; then Maradona the Argentine cheat, later Maradona plagued by off field troubles and finally a recognition of his immense contribution to world football as a global star. Throughout these stages of representations, the internal tensions within the British media, with differing images of the player found in the Scottish and English based media is explored. This chapter argues that media representations of Maradona in the British media have often been markedly different and examines the reasons for this.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: Maradona, sports journalism, Scottish media, football.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Boyle, Professor Raymond
• Authors: Boyle, R.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Theatre Film and TV Studies
• Publisher: Routledge
• ISBN: 9781032052090
• Published Online: 01 December 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Routledge
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher