Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez slapped with international ban for lewd trophy celebration and camera slap
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been slapped with a two-game ban by FIFA for ‘offensive behaviour’.
The Argentina Football Association [AFA] revealed in a statement that Martinez will miss two upcoming qualifies for the 2026 World Cup.
2
Martinez made the lewd gesture earlier this month while on international dutyCredit: GettyIt is over two separate incidents in matches against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.
Martinez made a lewd gesture with the Copa America trophy after the clash with Chile, the first since Argentina won the tournament this summer in the United States.
The 32-year-old then slapped a television camera following the loss to Colombia.
Read more in footballThe AFA statement read: “Despite the defense made by the player and the Argentine Football Association, the Disciplinary Commission of the governing body of World Football made the following decision:
“Martinez is declared responsible for his offensive behavior and his violation of the principles of fair play (art. 13 CDF).
“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”
Martinez will now miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 16.
Argentina currently top Conembol’s qualifying standings with 18 points from eight matches.
The top six directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
2
Martinez made the similar gesture after winning the World CupCredit: GettyIt is not the first time that the goalkeeper has made the lewd gesture with a trophy.
After winning the World Cup in 2022, he placed the Golden Glove trophy near his groin.
Martinez has played 47 times for Argentina since making his debut in 2021, at the age of 29, and has won two Copas America and the World Cup.
This ban will not have any affect on his availability for Aston Villa.
He is set to start in goal for Unai Emery’s side as they visit Portman Road to take on Ipswich on Sunday.
