FIFA and furious supporters have demanded that Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez be suspended from the World Cup semi-final against England after he violated regulations by climbing into the stands to celebrate his goal against Switzerland. Martinez scored Argentina's third goal in a 3-1 extra-time victory, but he was already carrying a yellow card, and fans insist he should have received a second yellow for his celebration, which would have ruled him out of the England match.
Martinez's Celebration Sparks Controversy
Argentina needed extra time to defeat 10-man Switzerland, with the score tied 1-1 after 90 minutes. Julian Alvarez gave Argentina the lead in the 112th minute, and Martinez sealed the win in stoppage time. After scoring, Martinez vaulted the perimeter fencing to celebrate with Argentina fans in the stands. Under IFAB and FIFA laws, climbing onto a perimeter fence and approaching spectators in a manner that causes safety or security issues is a cautionable offence, even if the goal is disallowed.
Fans on social media highlighted that Martinez was already on a yellow card, so a second yellow would have resulted in a suspension for the England semi-final. One supporter wrote on X: "Lautaro Martinez was already on a yellow card when he scored the goal. Despite that he crossed the Barrier and went up to the stands to celebrate. This is a Yellow Card offence which would've ruled him out against England. So the Ref and VAR decided to forget about the Rule."
Fans and Reddit Users Demand Action
Another fan posted: "Interesting, @FIFAcom @FIFAWorldCup. Interesting..." A third added: "Lautaro Martinez was already on a yellow, scored, then climbed onto the perimeter fencing to celebrate with the fans. By the letter of the law, that's usually a cautionable offence. No second yellow, no semi-final suspension. People will ask questions."
On Reddit, one user said: "It's clear and simple. He just shouldn't be able to face England in the next game." Another questioned: "Didn't the referee see that? I really doubt so... Also, it was a moment that could result in player's red card (due to second yellow card), so, shouldn't the VAR intervene?" A third user compared Martinez's situation to that of Switzerland's Breel Embolo, who received a second yellow for diving: "If Embolo gets a second yellow for diving, then surely he gets a second yellow for going into the crowd which has always been the rules."
IFAB and FIFA Rules on Celebrations
According to IFAB and FIFA's laws of the game, players can celebrate a goal, but celebrations must not be excessive or cause time-wasting. Specifically, a player must be cautioned for climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching spectators in a manner that causes safety or security issues, acting in a provocative or inflammatory way, covering the head or face with a mask, or removing the shirt. These rules apply even if the goal is disallowed.
The match also featured another controversial moment when Switzerland's Breel Embolo received a second yellow card after VAR intervention. Initially, Argentina's Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow for a challenge on Embolo, but replays showed no contact, leading to the yellow card being transferred to Embolo for simulation. Switzerland coach Murat Yakin called the rule "unacceptable," saying: "There was definitely no reason to award a yellow card. It was a harmless situation. He should have let play continue. We were punished because of a rule that is unacceptable. I don't understand it. The fact that they intervened unnecessarily is extremely hurtful. It's a rule that has nothing to do with football. It destroyed our game today."
Argentina's History of Contentious Decisions
This is not the first time Argentina has been at the centre of controversial decisions at the World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, Egypt were left furious after VAR disallowed a goal by Mostafa Ziko, leading some fans to claim the competition is 'rigged'.
England will now face Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday evening at 8pm in Atlanta. The Three Lions secured their place with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway. The outcome of the FIFA demand regarding Martinez's potential suspension remains to be seen.
