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A TV cameraman claimed Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez “slapped” him after Colombia’s 2-1 victory in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Footage shows the Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper hitting the camera with his gloves after being approached on the pitch after the final whistle.
In the clip, the camera shakes and falls to the ground. The operator, Jhonny Jackson, told Colombian media that he was left “very angry” and claimed he had been “assaulted” by the World Cup winner.
"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.”
Se creen que nos cae mal Dibu Martínez por su nacionalidad o por lo que gana, no, nos cae mal porque es lo contrario a lo que debe representar el deporte, es un muy mal ganador y un peor perdedor, que se deje de bailes y que aprenda un poco de modales que le hacen falta a su edad pic.twitter.com/a2dxoRjP3I
— Adri🇪🇸 (@FanIbraKone) September 10, 2024
According to Reuters, Colombia’s association of sports journalists has demanded that Fifa bans Martinez, with its president Faiver Hoyos Hernandez calling 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.
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."
Argentina lead the South American World Cup qualifying standings by two points following Colombia’s victory in Barranquilla. Colombia are in second place, a point ahead of Uruguay, after eight rounds.
