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Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez have come under fire for allegedly slapping a cameraman after Argentina’s loss to Colombia.
Argentina suffered their first defeat of the year in a 2-1 loss to Colombia during their World Cup qualifier.
The La Albiceleste have not lost any game since the start of the year, with the run leading to their Copa America win.
However, the loss created high tension in the team as Martínez was caught hitting a cameraman to the floor.
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Martinez slaps cameraman
After the match at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla, the video showed the 32-year-old hitting and knocking down a camera as he was filmed on the field.
According to the Telegraph, the man holding the camera, Jhonny Jackson, claimed Martínez slapped him in frustration over the loss, and the goalkeeper looked visibly irritated by the cameraman's close proximity.
Martinez was called by his Argentine nickname, Dibú, by Jackson, who told RCN Deportes, “Out of the blue he slapped me.
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“I felt angry, very angry. I was working, just like he was. He was playing and I was shooting with my camera.”
The cameraman also sent a message to the goalkeeper after the incident, “Dibú, my brother, how are you? I am Jhonny Jackson, the cameraman you assaulted in the match against Colombia.
“I wanted to tell you it is all good, my brother. Everyone has lost a match in their life. This defeat clearly meant a lot to you. But look ahead, Dibú.”
Fifa has also been urged to penalise Martínez for his activities by Acord, the Colombian association of sports journalists.
Similar occurrences have resulted in suspensions for football players in the past, and the Villa goalie might face an international ban.
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Eight matches into the South American World Cup qualification campaign, Argentina sits two points clear of Colombia with 18 points.
Meanwhile, Emiliano Martinez has backed five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi to lead Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.
He claimed that the World Cup winner ‘has got the power’ to lead Argentina to another World Cup glory.
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