Unai Emery of Aston Villa says he will speak with Emiliano Martinez about his contentious FIFA World Cup celebrations with Argentina.
The shot-stopper for the Albiceleste gained notoriety for his gamesmanship throughout the competition, which peaked after Argentina’s victory in the final when he bizarrely celebrated after receiving the Golden Glove award.
Martinez’s controversial behavior was carried over to Buenos Aires, where he paraded around holding a baby with Kylian Mbappe’s face attached. Emery, who attain a managerial post at Aston Villa in late October, said he would talk to his goalkeeper.
After an amazing save against Randal Kolo Muani in extra time, the former Arsenal goalkeeper denied Kingsley Coman’s shot attempt in the shootout as La Albiceleste won the championship.
Martinez requested a moment of silence for Kylian Mbappe, who had scored a hat-trick for France, in the locker room following the game. He continued to make fun of the striker by holding up a doll of the Frenchman during Argentina’s victory parade in Buenos Aires.
“I’ll talk to him about some celebrations next week. But for now, I appreciate that he is now playing for his country’s team. We can talk about it after he is in our care and is accountable to us”, the coach said.
When Villa returns to the Premier League, they will face a challenging opponent in Liverpool, who will be seeking retribution for Thursday night’s defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Meanwhile, Emery will be without his starting goalkeeper, Martinez, after the Spaniard said he would give the club’s World Cup players enough time to recover from their performances in Qatar.
Villa supporters intend to show their appreciation for Martinez with a banner in the Holte End praising him on winning the world championship.
French officials are pressuring FIFA to look into raucous celebrations against Kylian Mbappe during Argentina’s World Cup homecoming.
After France’s forward won the exciting final match last Sunday, Emiliano Martinez was the target of widespread derision.
During the open-top bus parade, Martinez was seen holding a doll baby with Mbappe’s face painted on it.
Hence, Bruno Le Maire, the finance minister of France, has urged FIFA to look into the “undignified” mocking of Mbappe and the French national team.
Le Maire according to Sud Radio said: “What is FIFA doing? Fair play is important in sports. It demonstrates respect for other people. It is a sign of respect for the fallen.”
Following France’s defeat at the Lusail Stadium, SOS Racisme and the French Football Federation have also brought legal action against those who harassed Mbappe and other players on social media with racial slurs.
The secretary general of SOS Racisme stated, “It is the expression of a far-right ideology that claims that these people should not be considered French.”
