Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, hated by the French, suspended for two matches for a new obscene gesture

Le gardien argentin Emiliano Martinez a été suspendu deux matches par la FIFA. MAXPPP – Martin Rickett

Incorrigible Emiliano Martinez, suspendu pour le même geste qu’en finale de la Coupe du monde 2022 face aux Bleus.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose performance in the final denied Les Bleus the 2022 world title, has been suspended for two matches by FIFA for an obscene gesture and a slap to a camera, the Argentine federation and the world body announced on Saturday.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has suspended Emiliano Martinez for two matches for violations of Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play) during the Argentina – Chile matches on September 5 and Argentina – Colombia on September 10th”, writes FIFA.

A sanction accepted in a separate statement by the Argentine Football Federation (AFA), which nevertheless wanted to "express its total disagreement". Martinez will be suspended for the qualifying matches in the South American zone for the 2026 World Cup, against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 16.

The Cup between the legs…

After eight days, Argentina dominates the World Cup qualifiers with 18 points, two points ahead of Colombia. "Dibu" Martinez had, at the end of the match against Chile (3-0 victory), placed a replica of the Copa America trophy, won by his country this summer, in the same obscene manner as after the final against France at the 2022 World Cup.

Then at the final whistle of the 2-1 defeat against Colombia, he had violently slapped the camera that was following him on the pitch. The Aston Villa goalkeeper has become an extremely popular figure in Argentina, and symmetrically very unpopular in France.

He had notably participated in the mockery of Kylian Mbappé during the celebrations of the world title in Argentina. Returning to France with Aston Villa for a Europa Conference League match against Lille last spring, he exchanged numerous insults with the Dogues crowd, exulting after winning the penalty shootout.