Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, the goalkeeper for Aston Villa, has been punished by FIFA for his abusive behavior during the world champions’ recent World Cup qualifiers. As a result, he will miss Argentina’s next two games.
Martínez’s controversial celebration following his 2022 World Cup victory—in which he strapped a dummy Copa America trophy on his crotch following a 3-0 victory against Chile on September 6—went viral earlier this year.
During the latest FIFA International Window, which saw the defending world champions play CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 32-year-old goalkeeper has since repeated his acts.
A second incident that occurred during the 2026 World Cup qualifications is also covered by this sentence. Following a 2-1 loss to Colombia, Martínez was approached by a photographer on the pitch in Barranquilla, and he struck the camera with his gloves.
Argentina played their first game back after winning the Copa America in the United States in July, and it was a celebration for Lionel Scaloni’s team to win their 16th Copa America championship in front of their home supporters. Argentina now has 23 titles, more than Brazil (20), making them the most successful national team in the world and the most successful in continental history (beating Uruguay, who have 15).
Although Martínez was not sent off, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) accepted that he was “responsible” for his actions, they disagreed with the ban. He won’t be present for the October qualifiers versus Bolivia and Venezuela.
The Argentine football association declared that it “totally disagrees with the decision taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee” in a statement posted on its official website.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has rendered the following ruling in spite of the player’s and the Argentine Football Association’s defense:
Two (2) matches are suspended for the respondent. According to article 69 FDC, this ban will be imposed throughout the Argentine Football Association’s representative team’s upcoming official games, the AFA stated on its website.
After winning the World Cup, Martínez became a national hero in Argentina. He received the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup (as well as The Best Award 2023) and clutched the trophy to his crotch after the presentation ceremony. In a similar vein, he rejoiced when he heard Argentine supporters yelling at him from the stands at River Plate’s Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.
Apart from being suspended and unable to participate against Venezuela in Maturín and Bolivia at the Monumental, Martínez, a native of Mar del Plata, has also been fined 15,000 Swiss francs, or approximately €16,500.
“Dibu” Martínez has made 47 appearances for Argentina and was instrumental in the team’s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. He also made significant saves in the play-off rounds of the 2021 and 2024 Copa America championships, just like he did during the World Cup.
