A TV cameraman has reportedly revealed that Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez slapped him following their 2-1 loss to Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.
The Aston Villa and Argentina shot-stopper is seen in the video approaching the camera on the field after the final whistle and hitting him with his gloves.
According to The Independent, the camera shakes and falls to the floor in the video. Jhonny Jackson, the operator, told Colombian media that the World Cup winner had “assaulted” him and that he was “very angry.”
“Out of the blue he slapped me,” Jackson told RCN Deportes on Wednesday. “I was working, just like he was. He was playing and I was shooting with my camera.”
According to Reuters, Martinez should be banned by Fifa, as stated by the Colombian union of sports journalists, whose president, Faiver Hoyos Hernandez, has called for action.
“As the journalistic authority in this country, [we] want Fifa to produce an exemplary sanction against Mr. Emiliano Martinez who is no role model for new generations,” he said.
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The cameraman also said that he sent a message to Martinez: “I wanted to tell you it is all good, my brother. Everyone has lost a match in their life. This defeat clearly meant a lot to you. But look ahead, Dibu.”
After Colombia’s victory in Barranquilla, Argentina are still leading the South American World Cup qualifying rankings by two points. After eight rounds, Colombia are in second place, one point ahead of Uruguay.
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