Colombia explodes against the "aggression" of the Argentine 'Dibu' Martínez
The Colombian Association of Sports Journalists (Acord Colombia) strongly condemned on Wednesday the "act of aggression" by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, who slapped a television camera minutes after the Argentine national team lost 2-1 to Colombia on Tuesday.
"Slapping and throwing the cameraman's equipment to the ground is an assault on freedom of expression that our association does not tolerate. Colombia is a country where the freedom to inform is respected," the sports journalists stated in a release.
In response to this incident, they urged the Colombian Football Federation to "take a strong stance with Conmebol, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and FIFA."
"Acord, as the authoritative sports journalism body in the country, demands that FIFA impose an exemplary sanction" against “Dibu” Martínez, who "is not a role model for the new generations," concluded the statement.
Martínez, known for losing his composure at times, greeted several Colombian players on the field, including his Aston Villa teammate, Jhon Jader Durán. However, at one point, he approached and slapped a camera.
Afterward, as if nothing had happened, “Dibu” continued walking and hugging his teammates.
The incident was captured by cameras that broadcasted the match in Barranquilla and quickly went viral on social media, where Colombian fans interpreted it as a gesture of poor sportsmanship.
With the 2-1 victory, Colombia ended a 31-year streak without defeating Argentina at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla.
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