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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is the subject of a formal complaint from the French FA over his mocking of Kylian Mbappe.
France star Mbappe bagged a hat-trick in the World Cup final and brought his country back from the brink twice, in normal time and extra-time, but it wasn’t enough as the Albiceleste won on penalties.
Martinez has subsequently hit the headlines for numerous moments of s***housery and the Aston Villa goalkeeper was filmed calling for ‘a minute’s silence for Mbappe’ in the changing room on Sunday.
At the victory parade on Tuesday, Martinez was seen holding a doll with Mbappe’s face on it, sparking widespread outrage in France.
Now, speaking to Ouest-France, president of the French FA Noel Le Graet revealed he has opened formal proceedings with Argentine counterpart Claudio Tapia over Martinez’s behaviour.
Le Graet said: “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.
“This is going too far. Mbappe’s behaviour has been exemplary.”
Given Mbappe made Martinez pick the ball out of his net four times in a World Cup final, including three penalties in the same corner, many have been quick to point out that the Frenchman might be living in the Argentine’s head rent free.
“A minute of silence for … Mbappe!” 😅
Emiliano Martinez during Argentina’s dressing room celebration.
(via nicolasotamendi30/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/dwm3IrUNWG
Others have suggested the constant taunting is a response to comments made by Mbappe earlier this year.
In an apparent dig at the South American nations, Mbappe suggested European teams were better prepared for the World Cup because they play ‘high-level matches against each other all the time’.
Martinez took issue with that opinion at the time and responded: “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.”
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