Colombian mafia claims a helping hand in Argentina's 1978 World Cup triumph

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The son of an infamous drug lord nicknamed 'The Chess Player' claims certain family members paid Peru players to lose against the hosts.

Argentina won 6-0 and ensured their place in the final by finishing above group rivals Brazil on goal difference and went on to beat Holland 3-1 to clinch their first world title.

Fernando Rodriguez, who will reveal more details in a book about his father Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, said: "We have photos and statements emerging in the book, the full story of how the deal was done."

The Chess Player is serving a 30-year prison sentence in the United States after pleading guilty to charges of conspiring to import 200 tons of cocaine to the country.

The book will also claim Gilberto Rodriguez had a relationship with Argentina star Diego Maradona and once tried to sign him for Colombian club America de Cali for $3million.

Fernando Rodriguez, who counts former Newcastle player Faustino Asprilla among his friends, says his family's mafia organisation had laundered more than $50m in Argentinian football, in which his uncle, Miguel Rodriguez, had made links from 1974.

"It was very easy to wash money there," said Fernando.

Holland legend Johan Cruyff last month revealed he missed the 1978 World Cup in Argentina because of a kidnap attempt in the run-up to the tournament.