France launch an official complaint over Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s taunting of Kylian Mbappe in wake of World Cup final defeat, after he held a DOLL with star’s face on it during victory parade and staged a mock minute’s silence for him
Emiliano Martinez is the subject of an official complaint from the French FA for his actions in the wake of his country’s World Cup victory over France, having consistently mocked striker Kylian Mbappe.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper was spotted carrying around a doll with Mbappe’s face taped to it during the celebrations in Buenos Aires, and even called for a mock moment’s silence in the dressing room after the game.
As a result he has been branded the ‘most hated man in football’ by 2018 World Cup winner Adil Rami, with the Argentine goalkeeper continuing to fan the flame with his conduct.
Emiliano Martinez’s taunts at Kylian Mbappe after the final have resulted in an official complaint from the French FA
French FA president Noel Le Graet (R) claimed Mbappe’s behaviour amid has been exemplary
Noel Le Graet, president of the French FA, spoke of how he has written a formal letter of complaint to his Argentina counterpart Claudio Tapia to illustrate his opinions on the matter.
‘I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation, I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand,’ he told Ouest-France.
‘This is going too far. Mbappé’s behaviour has been exemplary.’
As well as his taunts targeting Mbappe, Martinez also drew criticism for making a crude gesture with the Golden Glove trophy – something which he has since claimed was in response to French boos during the game.
Emiliano Martinez mocked Kylian Mbappe after Argentina’s World Cup triumph on Sunday by calling for a minute’s silence for the Frenchman as his side partied in their dressing room
The 24-year-old – who took home the Golden Boot award despite not lifting the Trophy in Qatar – has not offered anything in response to Martinez’s taunts, and in fact returned to training at PSG earlier than expected.
Martinez was also visibly pumped up during the penalty shoot-out and performed some inflammatory dance moves to celebrate Aurelien Tchouameni’s missed attempt, much to the chagrin of Les Bleus fans.
A French minister has also called for FIFA to investigate Emiliano Martinez after his actions following Argentina’s World Cup final win over France.
Martinez was also pictured making this rude gesture with his Golden Glove award after the World Cup final
‘What is Fifa doing? Sport is about fair play,’ claimed Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery on Sud Radio.
‘It’s showing respect for others. It’s showing respect for those who lost.’
There had been tension between the pair prior to their meeting on the field on Sunday after the Frenchman had claimed that European teams came into major tournaments in better stead than their south American opponents.
Martinez risked annoying France fans more when he celebrated a missed penalty by dancing
And Martinez was clearly aggravated by the comments, replying: ‘He doesn’t know enough about football. He never played in South America.
‘When you don’t have this experience, it may be better not to talk about it. But it doesn’t matter. We are a great team, recognised as such.’
However, the goalkeeper was seen in conversation with his defeated opponent after the fateful penalty shoot-out – in which Mbappe put the ball past Martinez for the fourth time in the game.
Martinez was also seen consoling Mbappe after France’s brutal World Cup defeat, but the Villa keeper later taunted him
