Aston Villa star could face punishment by FIFA

As reported by Jamie Braidwood (The Independent), Emiliano Martinez could be the subject of punishment by FIFA after claims that he assaulted a cameraman following Argentina's defeat to Colombia on Tuesday.

Footage, which has been shared across social media platforms, showed the Yashin Trophy-winning goalkeeper slapping the camera in anger following the full time whistle. Argentina fell to a 2-1 defeat to Jhon Duran's Colombia thanks to goals from Yerson Mosquera and James Rodriguez. Despite the result, Argentina remain remain top of the South American World Cup qualifying league.

Martinez could be in trouble

Following the match's conclusion, the cameraman approached Martinez and came very close while capturing the players up close and personal for television. The cameraman, named Johnny Jackson, appeared to shake vigorously and fall to the ground after Martinez had slapped the camera. He told Colombian media that he felt angry at the Villa keeper's actions and that he had been "assaulted" by the World Cup-winning goalkeeper.

""Out of the blue he slapped me. I was working, just like he was. He was playing and I was shooting with my camera.”"

- Johnny Jackson - Colombian TV cameraman

It is thought that Colombia's association of sports journalists, Reuters, is appealing to FIFA, and demanding, that Martinez receive a ban for his actions. The president of the association, Faiver Honos Hernandez has said, "As the journalistic authority in this country, [we] want FIFA to produce an exemplary sanction against Martinez who is no role model for new generations".

As a result of his actions, there has been widespread criticism of the former Arsenal keeper with one member of 'X' claiming, "Emi Martinez got to be one of the most hated footballers and rightly so", whilst others have claimed that Martinez is similar to Jurgen Klopp. Klopp was always happy and chirpy when winning, but when things didn't go his way he would often throw his toys out the pram and become almost insufferable.

Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to put this incident to one side as he prepares to return to action for his club as they take on Everton at Villa Park this Saturday.

UTV