Ex-Fifa official: Aston Villa star Martinez ‘fortunate’ to escape ban as ‘disrespectful’ footage emerges

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was “fortunate” not to be sent off during the penalty shootout as Argentina beat France in the World Cup final on Sunday (18 December).

That is the view of former Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Martinez’s “arrogant and disrespectful” tactics.

The 30-year-old used every trick in the book to try and put off the France players and was shown a yellow card for throwing the ball away before Aurelien Tchouameni‘s penalty which he then missed.

A red card would have seen him banned for Argentina’s next competitive game.

“It was arrogant and disrespectful to the game and to his opponent,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“I think that referees have got to be proactive and the good thing about this referee was that he learned very quickly because he took control of the ball.

“I think that’s what referees have got to do. There is no reason for the goalkeeper to come and see whether it is on the penalty mark. It’s all about being proactive.

“You have to check if they are on the line, but why should we do that? Why should we have to tell goalkeepers at the elite level where they have to stand? Let’s just get on with it and if he’s not on his line then dish out the appropriate sanction, whether that’s a retake or a yellow card. The laws cover that.

“In terms of the nonsense, Martinez is fortunate that he did not follow through with a red card. The referee was quite keen to keep the players on at that time and not be at the centre of focus.

“I think he handled it quietly. We didn’t actually see him dish out the yellow card on the television. He kept it lowkey and tried to manage it which is what we want from referees.”


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By: Keith Hackett
Title: Ex-Fifa official: Aston Villa star Martinez ‘fortunate’ to escape ban as ‘disrespectful’ footage emerges
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/ex-fifa-official-aston-villa-star-emiliano-martinez-fortunate-to-escape-ban-as-disrespectful-footage-emerges/
Published Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:20:03 +0000