According to Jhonny Jackson, a TV cameraman, Emiliano Martínez, the goalkeeper for Argentina, “struck” him after Colombia’s 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifying game.
Jackson told the Colombian media that he approached Martínez after the game in Barranquilla on Tuesday, while the goalkeeper was greeting another player. The footage he captured shows the goalkeeper, known as Dibu by Argentines, hitting the camera, causing it to quickly shake and fall to the ground.
😤🧤 ¡PIDEN QUE SEA SANCIONADO!
— Radio Caravana (@Caravana750) September 11, 2024
Emiliano Martínez 🇦🇷 fue denunciado por la Asociación Colombiana de Periodistas Deportivos, tras el manotazo que le dio a un camarógrafo al finalizar el partido entre 🇦🇷 Argentina y Colombia 🇨🇴
“Exigimos a FIFA que se genere una sanción… pic.twitter.com/v3C69Obqzy
Jackson stated, “He unexpectedly struck me. I was furious, very angry. We were both working, he was playing and I was filming with my camera.” He also sent a message to Martínez, saying, “Dibu, my brother, how are you? I am Jhonny Jackson, the cameraman you attacked during the game against Colombia. I just wanted to let you know that everything is alright, my brother. Everyone experiences a loss at some point in their life. This defeat clearly meant a lot to you. But keep moving forward, Dibu.”
Jackson is employed by a company that provides footage to channels such as Caracol Televisión and RCN Deportes. In similar situations, footballers have been suspended from games, and this is what Colombia’s association of sports journalists, known as ACORD, is calling for FIFA to do. The president of ACORD, Faiver Hoyos Hernández, stated that Martínez’s actions were an attack on freedom of expression. “As the authority on journalism in this country, ACORD is urging FIFA to impose a severe punishment on Mr. Emiliano Dibú Martínez, who is not a role model for future generations,” the statement read.
Martínez and the South American soccer body CONMEBOL have not made any comments. Argentina is currently leading the South American World Cup qualifying with 18 points after eight matches, two points ahead of Colombia. All teams will have two more qualifying games next month. The top six teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
