Emi Martinez faces possible punishment from FIFA after slapping a camera operator to the floor at the end of Argentina’s defeat to Colombia.
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- Albiceleste suffered rare setback
- Emotion running high at final whistle
- FIFA being urged to take action
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was in a foul mood after seeing the Albiceleste – who remain without talismanic captain Lionel Messi following his injury in the 2024 Copa America final – slip to a rare defeat in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Ex-Real Madrid star James Rodriguez netted the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
As Argentina’s players were jeered by home supporters at the final whistle, Martinez took issue with a cameraman getting in his face. He slapped the recording equipment out of his path, knocking operator Jhonny Jackson to the turf.
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WHAT THE CAMERAMAN SAID
Jackson told of his experience: “They blew the final whistle and as a camera operator and steadycam operator I always go looking for reactions. I simply enter the field, I look for reactions. I see Dibu, I see him shaking hands with a substitute goalkeeper, I think, and I approach him. And out of nowhere Dibu knocked me down. It made me angry, very angry, because I am working, just like he was doing, him saving and me operating my camera, I wasn't even playing soccer with him. But I didn't say anything to him.”
Jackson did go on to send a message to Martinez, adding: “I wanted to tell you to stay calm, brother. In life, at any time, everyone has lost a game, and suddenly that defeat meant a lot to you. But keep going, Dibu.”