Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez Faces A Ban Due To “Offensive Behavior.

Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez Faces A Ban Due To “Offensive Behavior.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been handed a two-match suspension by FIFA for “offensive behavior.” As a result, he will miss next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia due to two incidents that occurred during the last international window.

The first incident happened following Argentina’s 3-0 home victory over Chile, marking their first match since winning the 2024 Copa America. During the celebration, Martinez held a replica Copa America trophy against his crotch, echoing his notorious celebration with the Golden Glove award after the 2022 World Cup final.

Martinez has been handed a two-match ban. The Aston Villa goalkeeper was also penalized for a separate incident that occurred after Argentina’s 2-1 away loss to Colombia on September 10.

After the match, Martinez struck a local television camera with his gloves, marking Argentina’s first defeat since losing to Uruguay in November 2023.

A statement from the Argentine Football Association stated: “Despite the defense presented by the player and the Argentine Football Association, the Disciplinary Commission of the governing body of World Football reached the following decision:

“Martinez is deemed responsible for his offensive behavior and his breach of the principles of fair play (art. 13 CDF).

“The Argentine Football Association wishes to express its strong disagreement with the decision made by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”

Who will take Martinez’s place?
Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli and PSV Eindhoven’s Walter Benitez were named as Martinez’s backups for the matches against Chile and Colombia.

Now, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni must decide whether to start Rulli or Benitez for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Rulli last played for his country in September 2022, while Benitez has made just one international appearance, which was in a friendly against Chile earlier this year.

Scaloni will also need to call up a third goalkeeper, with Atletico Madrid’s Juan Musso among the potential candidates for the squad.