Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been handed a two-game suspension by FIFA for what has been officially described as “offensive behavior.” The ruling stems from Martinez’s actions following two separate incidents during Argentina’s recent international matches, with FIFA’s Disciplinary Commission concluding that the player had violated the principles of fair play.
Martinez first came under scrutiny after making an inappropriate gesture with the Copa America trophy during Argentina's victory celebrations following their win over Chile. The gesture, widely considered disrespectful, sparked outrage and was deemed inappropriate for the occasion. Additionally, the goalkeeper was also involved in another controversial moment after Argentina’s loss to Colombia. Martinez, visibly frustrated by the defeat, slapped a television camera during the post-match proceedings, further drawing criticism for his actions.
Despite efforts made by both the player and the Argentina Football Association (AFA) to contest the charges, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ultimately ruled against them. In their statement, the AFA expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating: “Despite the defense made by the player and the AFA, FIFA’s Disciplinary Commission found Martinez responsible for violating fair play principles.” The association had argued that Martinez’s actions were out of character and were a result of the emotional intensity of the matches; however, these arguments were not enough to sway FIFA’s decision.
As a direct consequence of the ruling, the 32-year-old goalkeeper will now miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. These include crucial fixtures against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 16, during which Argentina will be without their first-choice goalkeeper. The absence of Martinez, who has been a key figure in Argentina’s squad, is expected to pose a significant challenge for the team as they continue their campaign to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
While the ban is a setback for Argentina, it will not impact Martinez’s club career with Aston Villa. The goalkeeper remains eligible to play in all club competitions, and he is expected to feature in Aston Villa’s upcoming match against Ipswich. The club has shown full support for their player during this period, and Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed confidence that Martinez will continue to perform at the highest level for the club despite the ongoing disciplinary issues at the international level.
Martinez has been a key player for both club and country, with his performances earning him widespread recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. However, his recent actions have cast a shadow over his otherwise stellar career. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Martinez responds to the suspension and whether this incident will affect his form moving forward.