Emiliano Martinez handed two-match BAN following vulgar gesture with Copa America trophy
Argentinean goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was handed a two-match ban for inappropriate behavior, including one with the Copa America trophy.
Emiliano Martinez has been handed a two-match suspension for inappropriate behavior. (via The Independent)
Argentinean national team goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was handed a two-match international suspension, for offensive behavior. He had most recently made a vulgar gesture with the Copa America trophy in hand, during celebrations.
Emiliano Martinez will miss Argentina’s two 2026 World Cup qualifier matches next month, against Venezuela and Bolivia. He was suspended for two counts of inappropriate behavior this month, in matches against Chile and Colombia. Against Chile, he made a lewd gesture by positioning a Copa America trophy replica on his groin, while celebrating their victory. The 32-year-old then, against Colombia, hit a television camera with his gloves in frustration, after a 2-1 loss to their rivals.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was charged by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. The Argentinean Football Federation, while expressing disappointment with the ruling, officially stated that the player was being suspended for violation of principles of fair play. Moreover, it was a repeat of a similar gesture that he had made after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win in Qatar. The ban, however, will not affect his participation in Aston Villa’s matches, and the player is expected to feature against Ipswich Town.
🚨🚨 OFFICIAL | Emiliano Martinez has been SUSPENDED by FIFA! ⛔🇦🇷
— Football Latest (@footballatest_) September 28, 2024
The Argentinian goalkeeper is sanctioned for 2 matches following…
▫️ his controversial celebration with the Copa America trophy
▫️ his slap against a camera
[@TyCSports]pic.twitter.com/mF8ogztVGT
Argentina could opt for other goalkeeping choices, including PSV’s Walter Benitez and Atletico Madrid’s Juan Musso. Martinez’s absence might not affect Argentina’s 2026 WC qualification chances, with the team on top of the table with 18 points from just eight matches.
Emiliano Martinez’s career over the years
Emiliano Martinez has seen his stakes rise over the past few years, shining for both his club and country. The 32-year-old shot-stopper, who is known as a specialist in saving penalty kicks, could be easily regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of this generation.
Emi Martinez spent around nine seasons playing for Arsenal, but could hardly make any impact. After a few unsuccessful loan spells, he joined Aston Villa, which subsequently changed his fortunes. He made his debut for Argentina in 2021, and then went on to star in two Copa America triumphs, and a historic World Cup win in 2022. He was named the best goalkeeper on each of the occasions.
Apart from achieving glory with the national team, Martinez also won a number of individual accolades. He claimed the Lev Yashin Trophy in 2023 and the FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper in 2022, for ending the season on a high.
Siddhartha Roy
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