Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been banned for two matches for offensive behaviour by the ruling body FIFA, his national federation AFA said on Saturday.
Martinez was sanctioned for holding a replica Copa America trophy against his crotch after a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Chile on September 5, similar to what he did with the best goalkeeper award after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup title.
Five days later the Aston Villa keeper hit a camera with his glove after being approached by a cameraman following a 2-1 defeat in a qualifier against Colombia.
The operator, Jhonny Jackson told Colombian media outlets that he had been “assaulted” by Martínez, saying he “felt angry, very angry.”
However, the Argentine Football Federation said it “strongly disagrees” with the decision from the FIFA disciplinary committee which rated the incidents offensive behaviour and a violation of the principles of fair play.
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“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee,” the AFA noted in a statement.
Martinez will have to sit out October qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.
Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli and PSV Eindhoven’s Walter Benitez were called up his Martinez’s understudies for the games against Chile and Colombia.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will now have to decide whether to start Rulli or Benitez for October’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Chile.
Rulli last featured for his country in September 2022, while Benitez’s sole international appearance took place in a friendly against Chile earlier this year.
Scaloni will also need to call a third goalkeeper, with Atletico Madrid’s Juan Musso among those who could be named in the squad.
La Albiceleste currently lead Conmebol’s World Cup qualifying standings with 18 points in eight matches, two points clear of second place Colombia.
The top six teams from Conmebol will qualify directly to the 2026 tournament, with seventh place set to participate in an inter-confederation playoff match for a chance to clinch a ticket to the competition.
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