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Rabat – Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez received the World Cup’s Golden Glove award on Sunday, after helping his team win the trophy with some crucial saves, including during the decisive penalty shootout.
Martinez’s celebration, however, was not the most sensible. While on the podium, the goalkeeper performed a gesture that has been described as vulgar.
The gesture caused surprise and backlash among viewers, and made international headlines.
BBC presenter and former English footballer Gary Lineker could be heard saying: “No! Don’t do that, Emi,” as the awards were being presented.
While some social media users defended the gesture, either seeing it as funny or claiming that it is not inherently vulgar, others criticized Martinez’s celebration.
“Although I supported Argentina, I think that FIFA should strip this keeper from the award and the title of best goalkeeper and ban him from playing for life,” one Twitter user said.
Others argued that although the move was obscene, it is not a new occurrence in the World Cup or football celebrations in general.
Martinez made an important save during the final game’s extra time, stopping a potential fourth French goal that would have cost Argentina the title.
He also saved a penalty during the decisive shootout and stopped two penalties during the shootout with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
