Lionel Messi teammate two-match banned as FIFA takes action on Argentina star for 'offensive behaviour'

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The Argentina football team has suffered a massive blow as FIFA has imposed a two-match suspension on Emiliano Martinez, the goalkeeper who helped Argentina clinch the World Cup.

The sanction on the Argentina custodian has come due to his 'offensive behaviour' repeatedly, as the player is set to miss the next two matches for his national team.

This penalty was handed down by the world football's governing body after Martinez was found to have breached the principles of fair play in two distinct incidents, as per the announcement from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Saturday.

The 32-year-old demonstrated an obscene behavior most notably by gesturing with a replica of the Copa America trophy inappropriately after a victory against Chile in a World Cup qualifier on September 5.

Martinez held the Copa America Trophy to his groin while celebrating the victory. But astonishingly, this is not his first offence as he did a similar act after winning the Golden Glove award in World Cup 2022.

Martinez's conduct also included an episode where he struck a TV cameraman's camera with his gloves following Argentina's 2-1 loss to Colombia on September 10. These actions led to FIFA's decision, which the AFA has openly criticized, stating their "absolute disagreement" with the ruling by FIFA's disciplinary committee.

Martinez, who has been instrumental in Argentina's recent successes, including their wins in the Copa America in July and the 2021 edition, will now be absent for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15.

Lionel Messi, Argentina's supreme talisman won't be happy with it as Los Albicelestes will miss Martinez's services in two crucial matches. Argentina are currently on top of the qualifiers table with 18 points in eight matches.

This disciplinary action against Martinez underscores the importance FIFA places on sportsmanship and the principles of fair play, reinforcing that such behaviour has consequences.