FIFA bans Argentina goalkeeper Martinez

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has banned Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The world football governing body handed a two-match ban to the Aston Villa star.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA), confirmed the development on Saturday, saying Martinez is banned for “offensive behaviour”.

The 32-year-old former Arsenal player was also found guilty of “violating principles of fairplay” in two separate episodes.

Martinez was found to have violated FIFA’s code of conduct when holding a replica of the Copa America trophy to his groin after the World Cup qualifier win over Chile on September 5.

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It is not the first time Martinez has performed such an action having also done it with the Golden Glove trophy for best goalkeeper after Argentina beat France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final.

FIFA also sanctioned him for hitting a TV cameraman’s camera with his gloves after their 2-1 defeat by Colombia on September 10.

The AFA expressed their dissatisfaction with the FIFA ruling.

“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee,” they said in a statement.

As a result of the decision Martinez — also a key member of the Argentina side that won the Copa America in July, as well as the 2021 edition — will miss the World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15.

Argentina are top of the South American qualifying table with 18 points after eight matches. Colombia are just two points behind

FIFA bans Argentina goalkeeper Martinez

NFF names interim coach for Super Falcons

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially appointed Coach Justin Madugu as the interim head coach of the Super Falcons, the Senior Women National Team.

Madugu takes over from Randy Waldrum, who recently stepped down for personal reasons.

Waldrum led the Super Falcons for four years, during which he achieved significant milestones, including a Round of 16 finish at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as well as securing the team’s qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris—a milestone not reached since 2008.

In his resignation letter dated September 12, Waldrum expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve and emphasized the importance of prioritizing his family.

Madugu now faces the challenge of building on Waldrum’s achievements, with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco on the horizon next summer.

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In a related development, the NFF has confirmed that Coach Augustine Eguavoen will continue in his role as Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

Eguavoen, aged 58, is set to guide the team in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya next month. His recent successes include a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic and a goalless draw with Rwanda.

Eguavoen will be supported by an experienced coaching staff that includes Fidelis Ilechukwu, Daniel Ogunmodede, Olatunji Baruwa, and Tomaz Zorec.

The technical team will also oversee the Super Eagles B team’s qualifying efforts for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

These coaching appointments were approved by the NFF’s Executive Committee following recommendations from the Technical and Development Sub-Committee.

NFF names interim coach for Super Falcons

Defending champions Liverpool beat West Ham 5-1 in Carabao Cup

Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo each scored two goals as Liverpool began their defence of the Carabao Cup by coming from behind to thrash West Ham at Anfield.

The visitors stunned the Liverpool by taking the lead after a corner, Wataru Endo’s attempted clearance striking team-mate Jarell Quansah and rolling over the line.

West Ham’s lead lasted just four minutes as Federico Chiesa marked his first start for the Reds with an assist after the winger’s acrobatic volley into the ground bounced up for Jota to head the equaliser.

Portugal forward Jota scored his second early in the second half with a low and composed finish in front of the Kop after a lovely pass by Curtis Jones.

That goal came moments after West Ham had appeals for a penalty waved away when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Joe Gomez inside the box – with no video assistant referee (VAR) system until the semi-finals.

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West Ham, who have now lost four of their seven games under boss Julen Lopetegui, responded well after their woeful 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea last weekend.

But on a frustrating night which saw Lopetegui booked for arguing with the officials as decisions went against his side, Max Kilman missed a golden chance to make 2-2 from six yards.

Soon afterwards substitute Mohamed Salah made it 3-1 after Lukasz Fabianski had kept out Alexis Mac Allister’s attempt, before Edson Alvarez was sent off for a second booking.

Cody Gakpo added to West Ham’s misery with the fourth and fifth goals late in the tie as the Hammers exited the competition at Liverpool’s hands for the second successive season.

Defending champions Liverpool beat West Ham 5-1 in Carabao Cup