Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been suspended for two games by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
This punishment comes as a result of the 32-year-old holding a replica Copa America trophy by his crotch after a 3-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Chile in September.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was also punished for a confrontation with a cameraman following Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia four days later on September 10.
Footage showed Martinez hitting the camera with his gloves after being approached on the pitch after the final whistle. The operator, Jhonny Jackson, told Colombian media that he was left “very angry” and claimed he had been “assaulted” by the goalkeeper.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA), responded to the suspension via a statement that read: “Despite the defense made by the player and the Argentine Football Association, the Disciplinary Commission of the governing body of World Football made the following decision:
“Martinez is declared responsible for his offensive behavior and his violation of the principles of fair play (art. 13 CDF).
“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”
Martinez will miss World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 16.
Since making his national team debut in June 2021 at the age of 29, Martinez has made 47 appearances for his country, winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, as well as the World Cup in 2022.
Martinez first placed a trophy near his groin at the Qatar World Cup in 2022 after being handed the Golden Glove as the tournament’s top goalkeeper.
In March 2023, as Argentina celebrated that World Cup triumph during a friendly against Panama, the Villa goalkeeper replicated that gesture with a replica of the trophy alongside team-mates Guido Rodriguez, Geronimo Rulli, German Pezzella and Marcos Acuna.
(Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
