MP Jane Howlett confused about identity of late football superstar Diego Maradona

Football – or soccer – isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Tassie’s Sports Minister has put her foot in it after she was unable to pronounce the name of the late legend Diego Maradona.

• REVEALED: MONA announces full reopening date
• FIRST LOOK: Hobart’s first rooftop, high rise dining experience

FOOTBALL – or soccer – isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Sports Minister Jane Howlett has put her foot in it after she was unable to correctly pronounce the name of the late Argentinian legend Diego Maradona in budget estimates this week.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW >>

The 60-year-old Argentinian football star, who had been battling health issues, died of a heart attack on Wednesday.

Fans place offerings to late Diego Maradona in front of mural outside Argentinos Juniors' Stadium Diego Maradona on November 26, 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Fernando de Dios/Getty Images)

At the height of his career Diego Maradona was one of the highest paid athletes in the world, but a life of addiction, legal and financial troubles meant his fortune was severely diminished at the time of his death.

Diego Maradona. AFP PHOTO/Patrick VALASSERIS

And despite his fame – and notoriety – in European and South American countries, his reputation didn’t precede him in Tasmania.

MP Jane Howlett, who is in charge of the Sport and Recreation and Racing portfolios was a little confused when mourning the loss of the star publicly.

Ms Howlett incorrectly identified the legend as “Diego Marando”.

I think this is what you call an own goal... I give you the Andres Escobar of #politas pic.twitter.com/f3Mnex4vbC

— David O'Byrne (@DavidOByrneMP) November 26, 2020

Opposition member David O’Byrne outed Ms Howlett on Twitter and Tasmania’s Twitterati were quick to react.

Did Marando die also? Asking for a friend

— Mark O’Donnell (@MarkODo56940751) November 26, 2020

Thoughts are with Mr Marando’s loved ones

— Alex Johnston (@swegen31) November 26, 2020

Follow @navaronefarrell

Originally published as MP Jane Howlett confused about identity of late football superstar Diego Maradona