Martinez Loses Cool: Argentina Keeper Accused of Assaulting Cameraman

Slapgate: Emiliano Martinez in Controversy After Confrontation

“Out of the blue, he slapped me. I felt angry, very angry. I was working, just like he was...”

Colombia defeats defending champion Argentina 2-1 in World Cup qualifier, exacting revenge for Copa America final loss, with James Rodriguez scoring and assisting.

Emiliano Martinez, Argentina's goalkeeper, faces allegations of slapping a cameraman, Jhonny Jackson, after a tense 2-1 loss to Colombia in a World Cup qualifier. Martinez was seen pushing a camera away amidst jeers from the crowd, and Jackson later claimed the goalie physically struck him.

Cameraman Jhonny Jackson claims Argentina's Emiliano Martinez suddenly slapped him while he was filming the goalkeeper shaking hands with a player after the match. Jackson expressed his outrage, saying he was simply doing his job when the unexpected incident occurred.

“Out of the blue, he slapped me. I felt angry, very angry. I was working, just like he was,” he told RCN Deportes.

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The Colombian Association of Sports Journalists (ACORD) demands FIFA take disciplinary action against Emiliano Martinez, citing his behavior as unbecoming of a role model. ACORD President Faiver Hoyos Hernández urges an “exemplary sanction” against the Argentina goalkeeper.

Emiliano Martinez was not a happy lad last night. 😠 pic.twitter.com/fx84wMXnpW

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 11, 2024

In a surprising turn of events, cameraman Jhonny Jackson reached out to Emiliano Martinez with a conciliatory message, downplaying the incident. ‘No hard feelings, my brother,’ Jackson said, urging Martinez to move forward and focus on the next match.

Colombia exacted revenge on Argentina, the defending champions, with a 2-1 win, thanks to Captain James Rodriguez's penalty goal and assist. Colombia avenged their Copa America final loss earlier this year. Yerson Mosquera scored the opener in the 25th minute, but Argentina's Nico Gonzalez equalized in the 48th minute after a Colombian defensive mistake.

Despite losing to Colombia, Argentina still leads the South American World Cup qualifying with 18 points after eight matches, two points ahead of Colombia. With only two more qualifying matches left for each team next month, the top six teams will secure automatic spots in the 2026 World Cup. The current standings show Argentina in the lead, followed closely by Colombia, with other teams still in the running for the remaining spots.

Rodríguez' 60th- minute penalty, which was awarded after a video review, secured the win at the Metropolitano Stadium. “It is a great win against an Argentina team that has win against an Argentina team that has won it all,” Rodríguez said. 

“The weather was tough, it was so hot, but we had an excellent match. It is a fair win.”