Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez apologized on Monday for his offensive actions which earned him a two-match suspension by FIFA.
“I accept FIFA’s sanction and I apologize if I offended anyone, the celebrations are supposed to bring smiles to a lot of kids and not to disrespect anyone,” said on his Instagram account Martinez, crowned world champion with the Albiceleste in 2022.
The FIFA disciplinary committee announced on Saturday the suspension for two international matches of the goalkeeper due to “violations of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play) during Argentina-Chile matches on September 5 and Argentina-Colombia on September 10.
He will miss the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 16.
“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 delivered a violent slap to the camera which followed him on the field.
“It was never my intention to disrespect anyone. “I didn’t understand that a gesture that was well received by people was offensive, but I will try not to offend anyone anymore and concentrate on winning titles with Argentina and Aston Villa,” added the 32-year-old goalkeeper, who played a key role during the penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
