The Aguttes house, responsible for auctioning Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup best player trophy, finally announced this Sunday that it would postpone the date of its sale, due to a “contentious climate” and D’“uncertainties”.
However, the Nanterre court on Thursday rejected the heirs of the deceased Argentinian legend, who wanted to suspend this sale, affirming that the Ballon d’Or had been stolen during the robbery of a bank in Naples in October 1989. The lawyer for the Diego Maradona’s family had indicated that he intended to appeal this decision. At the same time, a criminal complaint was filed, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed to AFP.
A postponement until further notice
“Our mission is to organize auctions in the best conditions, for our seller and for the buyers”indicated Maximilien Aguttes, the director of the house, in a press release, four days before the hoped-for sale, in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts-de-Seine).
“This contentious climate and these uncertainties do not allow amateurs to approach this acquisition calmly and our role as a trusted third party can no longer be properly ensured”he added, without giving a new sale date.
The former gallery owner and antiques dealer told AFP that he acquired the trophy during an auction in 2016 “in the same lot of hardware” composed of several hundred relics, most of which had little value.
