Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been suspended by FIFA and will miss Argentina’s next two matches due to “offensive behaviour.”
The ban stems from two incidents during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.
On 6 September, following Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile, Martinez reenacted his controversial celebration from the 2022 World Cup, holding a replica Copa America trophy near his crotch. This was Argentina’s first match since winning the Copa America in the United States in July.
In another incident on 10 September, after Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia, Martinez struck a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the field.
The Argentina Football Association expressed disagreement with the suspension but acknowledged that Martinez was “responsible” for his actions.
As a result, Martinez will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.
Notably, Martinez won the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup, where he similarly placed the trophy near his groin during the award ceremony.