Emiliano Martinez accused of ‘slapping’ cameraman
Hindustan Times
12 September, 2024, 01:40 pm
Last modified: 12 September, 2024, 01:45 pm
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been accused by a cameraman of slapping him after the side’s 2-1 loss to Colombia in a FIFA World Cup qualification match in Barranquilla.
Martinez could be seen pushing a camera away after a frustrating match in which he copped boos from the Colombia throughout its duration.
Jhonny Jackson, the cameraman for Caracol Television and RCN Deportes, is later quoted as saying that the 32-year-old “slapped” him.
Jackson said that he pointed the camera at Martinez when the goalkeeper was shaking hands with another player. “Out of the blue, he slapped me. I felt angry, very angry. I was working, just like he was,” he told RCN Deportes.
Colombia’s association of sports journalists has now called on FIFA to take action against Martinez. “As the journalistic authority in this country, ACORD wants FIFA to produce an exemplary sanction against Mr. Emiliano Dibú Martínez, who is no role model for new generations,” said the body’s president Faiver Hoyos Hernández in a statement.
However, AP reports that Jackson sent a reconciliatory message to the Aston Villa goalkeeper. “Dibu, my brother, how are you? I am Jhonny Jackson, the cameraman you assaulted in the match against Colombia. I wanted to tell you it is all good, my brother. Everyone has lost a match in their life. This defeat clearly meant a lot to you. But look ahead, Dibu,” he said.
