While Argentina suffered a surprise defeat in a key outing in Colombia, goalkeeper Damian Martinez sparked a wave of controversy after the game. According to a photographer's revelations, he was attacked by Argentine players during the incident. The Colombian Sports Journalists Association then sent out a sternly worded open letter strongly urging FIFA to punish Martinez.
The victim, Jaeson, revealed that Martinez struck out at him without warning while he was merely performing his duty. Jaeson consoled Martinez through a message afterward and expressed his understanding for the loss of the fight.
In Jaison's own account, the camera captured Martinez's momentary impulse to hit the camera with a violent slap, causing it to go out of control and fall to the ground. The Colombian Association of Sports Journalists (ASCJ) expressed its strong displeasure at the behavior, considering it a flagrant violation of press freedom, and called on FIFA to deal with it seriously.
Martinez, 32, has been embroiled in several controversies in the past, not only mocking France's Kilian McBarbee after winning the World Cup final, but also making indecent gestures after winning the tournament. These actions have caused many fans to take offense to what they see as his cavalier attitude towards victory and defeat.
