FIFA bans Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for ‘Offensive Behaviour’
Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, has been banned for two matches by FIFA due to “offensive behaviour,” as confirmed by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Saturday. The ban comes after Martinez was found guilty of violating the principles of fair play in two separate incidents.
The first incident occurred following Argentina’s World Cup qualifier victory over Chile on September 5, 2024. Martinez was seen holding a replica of the Copa America trophy inappropriately, mimicking an obscene gesture. This is not the first time he has faced backlash for similar behaviour; after Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout win against France in the 2022 World Cup final, he also controversially posed with the Golden Glove trophy in a similar manner.
The second incident that led to FIFA’s decision involved Martinez hitting a TV cameraman’s camera with his gloves during a match against Colombia on September 10, 2024, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Argentina.
In light of the ruling, the AFA issued a statement expressing its absolute disagreement with FIFA’s disciplinary committee’s decision, indicating their dissatisfaction with the penalties imposed on Martinez.
As a consequence of the ban, Martinez will miss Argentina’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15. This is a significant blow for the Argentine team, as Martinez has been a key player for the national side, contributing to their success in various international competitions, including their Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024.
Currently, Argentina leads the South American qualifying table with 18 points from eight matches, with Colombia trailing closely behind by just two points. The team will need to adapt to Martinez’s absence as they strive to secure their place in the upcoming World Cup.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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