2024-09-28 08:22:42
World champions Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been banned for two matches by FIFA for “offensive behaviour”, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said in a statement.
The keeper will miss Argentina’s next qualifiers in the South American zone for the 2026 World Cup against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was suspended for incidents in the games against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.
In the match against Chile, Emiliano Martinez’s first since winning the Copa America in the USA, he celebrated by making an obscene gesture with the trophy, as he did after the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. After the loss to Colombia, the 32-year-old hit a camera on local television.
“Emiliano Martinez is held responsible for his offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play,” the AFA said in a statement. The Argentine headquarters add that they do not agree with the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Commission.