Argentina’s soccer association (AFA) announced on Friday that FIFA has suspended goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for two matches in the upcoming South American World Cup qualifying in October.
This suspension means the 32-year-old will miss official games against Venezuela and Bolivia on October 10 and 15.
The AFA stated that FIFA’s disciplinary commission imposed the suspension due to incidents during two World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.
However, FIFA did not specify the incidents that resulted in the punishment.
Martínez made an inappropriate gesture after Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile by holding the Copa America trophy near his genitals, similar to what he did after the team won the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022.
Additionally, he slapped a local cameraman following Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Colombia in Barranquilla.
The AFA expressed that it “absolutely disagrees” with FIFA’s decision.
Currently, Argentina is leading the South American World Cup qualifying with 18 points after eight matches, followed by Colombia with 16 points and Uruguay with 15.