Emiliano Martinez (left) holds a doll with the face of Kylian Mbappé.©Twitter
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been making headlines since his side defeated France in a thrilling FIFA World Cup final on December 18. Martinez made a rude gesture after winning the Golden Glove trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper of the tournament. It didn’t stop there when the Argentina goalkeeper held a baby toy with Kylian Mbappé’s face on it during the World Cup winning side’s home victory parade. Both gestures saw the star goalkeeper harshly criticized for his performance.
According to a recent report, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has lodged a formal complaint with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) over the goalkeeper ridiculing Mbappé during the Argentina national football team’s victory parade.
“I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation, I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand,” said Le Graet, quoted by Ouest-France. “This is going too far. Mbappé’s behavior has been exemplary.”
Meanwhile, French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera was scathing about Martinez’s behavior on Friday.
“I think it’s pathetic,” she said as quoted by AFP. “It’s just vulgar, inappropriate, really inappropriate for the occasion. This Emiliano Martinez doesn’t stand out. It’s kind of pathetic.”
On the other hand, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has said he will speak to Martinez about the Argentina goalkeeper’s controversial World Cup celebration when he returns to club duty with the Premier League side. Martinez saved Randal Kolo Muani in extra time with an important save and then denied Kingsley Coman in a penalty shoot-out in Qatar as Argentina beat France in a thrilling final.
(with AFP inputs)
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