EMI MARTINEZ SLAPPED WITH UEFA BAN DESPITE AVOIDING RED CARD FOR PENALTY SHOOTOUT ANTICS

Aston Villa have confirmed Emiliano Martinez is suspended for the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final with the goalkeeper to serve a one-match ban.

The Argentine keeper was once again the centre of attention as the Premier League side reached the last four in dramatic scenes against Lille. Unai Emery's side took a 2-1 lead to France, but after conceding twice they required a late Matty Cash goal to take the game to extra time.

Penalties followed and it was public enemy number one Martinez who had the last laugh. He was jeered throughout the game, thanks in no small part to his actions in the 2022 World Cup final when Argentina beat France in a shootout.

But he proved that special attention did little to distract him as he ramped up the antics in front of a furious home crowd. Already on a yellow card for time wasting during the game, Martinez goaded supporters after saving Nabil Bentaleb’s penalty.

He was then shown a second yellow, but confusion reigned as he remained in between the sticks for the remaining spot kicks. It was later clarified that yellow cards are reset for a penalty shootout, meaning he did not receive a red.

The rule, IFAB law 10 (determining the outcome of a match), states that: "Warnings and cautions (YCs) issued during the match (including during extra time) are not carried forward into kicks from the penalty mark (KFPM).

"A player who receives a YC during both the match and the KFPM is not sent off."

Martinez then made the most of that reprieve to save a second Lille penalty and send Villa to their first European semi-final since 1982. They will meet Olympiacos for a place in the final in Athens, but Martinez will not feature in the opening leg at Villa Park.

The Premier League club confirmed that although the second yellow didn’t contribute towards a red card, it did incur an automatic one-match suspension after picking up three across the two legs. That means Robin Olsen will deputise in the West Midlands in a tournament Unai Emery’s side remain strong favourites to win.

Speaking after the game, Martinez criticised the referee and admitted he didn’t fully know the rules. "I've just got a bad reputation for time wasting because the other goalie was doing the same thing. But I get booked after 30 minutes when we're losing the game. I don't know what the ref wants from me.

"Then there was no ball on the penalty spot [in the shootout] so I asked the ball-boy for a ball, and then I get booked! I just don't understand the rules."

Emery meanwhile, heaped praise on his goalkeeper for his performance: "He is very important for us. He has his personality and his personality in the dressing room is very important because he is a leader with his experiences. He has a really brilliant mentality.”

Villa host Olympiacos on May 2, before travelling to Greece the following week, they will be competing for a place in the final where they will meet the winner of the other semi between Club Brugge and Fiorentina.

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2024-04-19T08:30:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd