World Cup Article – France Isn’t Happy With How Emi Martinez Mocked Mbappe In Victory Parade

The French Football Federation (FFF) is unhappy with Argentina players mocking the beaten finalists after last Sunday’s World Cup final in Qatar.

According to the Spanish daily Marca, the president of the FFF, Noel Le Graet contacted the Argentine football federation and took issue with how several players of the World Cup-winning team taunted their opposition. Le Graet lambasted the Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and described the Aston Villa player’s taunts as “shocking” and “abnormal”.

Martínez was photographed holding a doll with a picture of Kylian Mbappe’s face pasted onto it during the South American team’s parade through Buenos Aires. The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored a hat-trick in the final and was only the second player to achieve the feat.  

Le Graet told the French newspaper Ouest-France: “We have launched different procedures. It is very shocking.

“These are boys who have given the best of themselves for the France team to succeed. It is important that we support them.”

A video on social media also shows Martínez calling for a “moment of silence for Mbappe” during the team’s celebrations in the dressing of the Lusail Stadium.

Golden glove winner and Argentina goalie, Emiliano Martinez, mocks Kylian Mbappe even though he had a hat trick plus a penalty on him… "A moment of silence for… Mbappe!" pic.twitter.com/htgj6bnhA3

— muliani (@MulianiEnt) December 18, 2022

The 24-year-old World Cup winner with France in 2018 scored eight goals in the tournament to finish top scorer and scoop the Golden Boot award. Martínez was named the best goalkeeper of the World Cup with outstanding performances in the penalty shootouts in the quarter-final against the Netherlands and the final.

It’s not the first time Argentina has been criticised for their behaviour towards an opposing team. In the quarter-final clash against the Dutch, Leandro Paredes nearly caused a riot after booting the ball toward the opposing team’s bench. The Dutch players reacted aggressively and Virgil Van Dyk knocked the PSG midfielder to the ground with his chest.

The Argentines won 4-2 on penalties and there were ugly scenes after the shootout win