EMI MARTINEZ has been branded a “vulgar clown” and “stupid” following his antics after Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
The Aston Villa stopper caused a furore moments after collecting the Glove Glove award after La Abliceleste’s penalty shootout victory over France by putting the trophy to his crotch and thrusting it forward.
The gesture amused many, but not former Liverpool and Scotland star Graeme Souness.
He wrote in his Daily Mail column: “Much of the debate post World Cup Final has centred on the behaviour of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the penalty shootout.
“I can accept those antics, to a point.
“But what we should be talking about more is the crude gesture he made after collecting his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy.
“Do some people really find that sort of thing funny?
“Martinez embarrassed himself and he embarrassed his country. He looked like a vulgar clown.
“If that is what he wants to be remembered for, then God help us all.”
Souness’ sentiment was echoed by Crystal Palace manager and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira, who also slammed Martinez’s goading of Kylian Mbappe.
He said: “When you are talking about the abuse and the comments that he received after the World Cup, I think that is damaging the game and himself.
“Some of the pictures that I saw from the Argentina goalkeeper took away a little bit from what Argentina achieved at the World Cup.
“I don’t think that they really needed that.
“You can’t control sometimes people’s emotions or decisions, but that was a stupid decision from Martinez to do that.”
The French Football Federation filed a formal complaint against Martinez after he was spotted holding a doll with a photo of Mbappe on it during Argentina’s celebrations in Buenos Aires.
And he’ll receive a dressing down from club manager Unai Emery for his actions.
The Villa gaffer said: “When you have big emotions, it is sometimes difficult to control them.
“I will speak with him (Martinez) next week about some celebrations, but I respect that he is now with his national team.
“When he’s with us, under our responsibility, we can speak about it.”
He added: “We are so proud of him. He won the World Cup with his national team and it’s amazing.
“Fans of Aston Villa must be very proud of him. He’s coming back next week.
“I want him to rest now because after big emotion and hard work, he has to have some days off to rest then he’ll come back to work with us.”
