France launches official complaint over Argentina goalkeeper’s Mbappe taunts
Furious French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has written to Argentine FA counterpart Claudio Tapia to file a formal complaint against Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has been accused of crossing the line during his nation's World Cup celebrations, the Daily Express reports.
The penalty-shootout hero has continually mocked Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe in the aftermath of last Sunday's pulsating final in Qatar despite consoling the Paris Saint-Germain superstar following his stunning hat-trick at the Lusail Stadium.
Martinez had initially shown great sportsmanship when he shared a moment with man of the match Mbappe at the end of the contest but he has since revelled in the Frenchman's misfortune after Les Bleus' agonising defeat - taunting the 24-year-old despite his incredible individual display.
The ex-Arsenal shot-stopper called for a "minute's silence for Mbappe" in the Argentina dressing room post-match before he was spotted holding up a toy doll with the attacker's face taped over it during the open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires.
Le Graet does not deem Martinez's antics acceptable as he urged the Argentina FA to take action against their World Cup winner.
"I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation, I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand," Le Graet told Ouest-France.
"This is going too far. Mbappe's behaviour has been exemplary."
Martinez also caused a stir when he made a crude gesture after receiving the World Cup Golden Glove award.