FIFA Suspends Argentina Goalkeeper Argentina Emiliano Martinez

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been suspended for two matches by Fifa for “offensive behavior,” the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said in a statement on Friday.

Martinez will miss Argentina’s next South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been suspended due to incidents that occurred during matches against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.

In the match against Chile, which was his first since winning the Copa America in the United States, Martinez celebrated by making an inappropriate gesture with the trophy, similar to what he did after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After the loss to Colombia, the 32-year-old hit a local television camera.

“Damian Emiliano Martinez is being held responsible for his offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play,” the AFA said in a statement, adding that it disagreed with the Fifa Disciplinary Committee’s decision.

The ban has no bearing on Martinez’s availability for Aston Villa, with the shot-stopped likely to start as Unai Emery’s side visit Portman Road to take on Ipswich on Sunday.

Argentina is currently leading the Conmebol qualifying standings with 18 points from eight matches, holding a two-point advantage over second-place Colombia.

The top six teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.