French judicial officials open theft probe before Maradona's World Cup Golden Ball goes to auction

French officials investigate possible theft of Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup trophy set for auction in Paris.

French judicial officials have opened an investigation into the possible theft of a trophy that was awarded to the late Diego Maradona after the 1986 World Cup and is set to be auctioned.

The prosecutor's office in Nanterre, outside Paris, told The Associated Press on May 23 that the probe was handed over to a special police unit combating trafficking in cultural property.

The prosecutor's office declined to give more details about the ongoing probe but said it was opened after it received a complaint relating to the resale of allegedly stolen goods.

A lawyer representing Maradona's heirs confirmed to AP that he filed a lawsuit this week.

In a separate legal action, Maradona’s heirs are also trying to stop the auction of the 1986 Golden Ball trophy received by Maradona for being the best player of the World Cup that year.

Maradona, who died in 2020 at age 60, captained Argentina in its 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico City. In a quarterfinal win over England he scored the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century."

The trophy had been missing for decades after it disappeared in uncertain circumstances and only recently resurfaced. It is set to be auctioned in Paris on June 6 by the Aguttes auction house.