The French Football Association has filed an official complaint against Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for his continued taunting of Les Bleus striker Kylian Mbappe after the 2022 World Cup final.
The Aston Villa custodian repeatedly targeted Mbappe after his team beat France on penalties following a 3-3 tie in Sunday’s World Cup final. Mbappe became the first player in 56 years to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, but France was defeated 4-2 in a penalty shootout by Argentina.
Martinez first requested “a moment of silence” for Mbappe following the game in Qatar, then repeated the request when Argentina returned to Buenos Aires for a victory parade.
Martinez was carrying a doll with Mbappe’s face taped to it, despite standing next to the Frenchman’s PSG teammate, Lionel Messi. The most recent one was after Martinez requested a minute of silence in the Frenchman’s honour in the locker room shortly after winning the World Cup at Doha’s Lusail Stadium.
Martinez, who also made a lewd gesture with the Golden Glove trophy after the final, has been heavily chastised, and Noel Le Graet, President of the French FA, has written a letter of complaint to his Argentine counterpart, Claudio Tapia.
“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. Mbappé’s behaviour has been exemplary,”
he told Ouest-France.
Martinez’s actions have also prompted the French Sports Minister to suggest that they file a formal complaint.
“I am not ruling out discussing this with my counterpart. I find all of this quite pitiful,”
Amelie Oudea-Castera told RTL Radio.
Martinez emerged as one of Argentina’s heroes, first for a stunning save from Randal Kolo Muani in the final seconds of extra time and then for his antics in the penalty shootout.
Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman before using a series of intimidating tactics, including throwing the ball away as he approached the penalty spot, which appeared to lead to Aurelien Tchouameni shooting wide.
Argentina won the World Cup in a shootout 4-2 to win their first World Cup since 1986 and spark wild celebrations in Argentina.
