Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been accused of slapping a TV cameraman after Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Colombia in a World Cup qualifying match.
Jhonny Jackson, the cameraman, reported that Martínez “slapped” him while he was capturing footage on the pitch following the final whistle.
Jackson approached Martínez to get a shot as he congratulated another player. According to Jackson, the moment escalated quickly.
He stated, “Out of the blue he slapped me.” The incident was caught on camera, vividly showcasing Martínez’s frustration, leading to Jackson feeling both angry and confused given their professional context.
He expressed to Colombian media, “I was working, just like he was. He was playing and I was shooting with my camera.”
In the wake of the incident, Jackson sent a message to Martínez, clarifying there were no hard feelings. He empathized by saying, “Everyone has lost a match in their life. This defeat clearly meant a lot to you. But look ahead, dibu.”
Jackson works for a company providing footage to Colombian channels Caracol Televisión and RCN Deportes.
The Colombian sports journalists’ association, ACORD, has called on FIFA to sanction Martínez, accusing him of attacking freedom of expression.
ACORD’s president, Faiver Hoyos Hernández, emphasized the need for an exemplary punishment, stating that Martínez’s actions are not reflective of the behavior expected from role models.
Neither Martínez nor South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL has commented on the incident.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
