Following Argentina’s World Cup victory over France, the French FA has officially complained about goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s actions, as he consistently taunted striker Kylian Mbappe.
During the celebrations in Buenos Aires, the 30-year-old goalkeeper was seen carrying a doll with Mbappe’s face and even staged a mock minute’s silence in the dressing room after the game.
Former 2018 World Cup winner Adil Rami has labeled Martinez as the “most hated man in football” due to his conduct, which has continued to provoke controversy.
Noel Le Graet, president of the French FA, has sent a formal letter of complaint to his Argentine counterpart Claudio Tapia expressing his disapproval of Martinez’s behavior.
“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. Mbappe’s behavior has been exemplary.”
Martinez also faced criticism for making a rude gesture with the Golden Glove trophy, which he claimed was in response to French booing during the game.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot award in Qatar, has not publicly responded to Martinez’s taunts and has returned to training at PSG earlier than expected.
Additionally, a French minister has called for FIFA to investigate Martinez’s actions following Argentina’s World Cup final win over France.
“What is FIFA doing? Sport is about fair play,” said Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery on Sud Radio.
“It shows respect for others and for those who lost.”
