Emi Martinez receives UEFA ban for behavior during Aston Villa match at Lille
Emiliano Martinez will miss the first leg of Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League semi-final with Olympiacos after his controversial penalty shootout antics in Lille last night (Thursday). The Argentine goalkeeper emerged as the Villa hero, making crucial saves and ensuring the team’s advancement to the next round. Martinez’s booking and on-field actions during the penalty shootout led to confusion and raised questions regarding his dismissal, but a little-known ruling allowed him to remain in the game.
A IFAB rule 10.3 clarifies that yellow cards and warnings from the game are not carried forward into penalties but a player who was shown a red card during the game cannot take part in the penalties. Villa confirmed that Martinez officially accumulated two competition yellow cards, resulting in him missing the upcoming home game with the Greek club on May 2 due to suspension. Martinez expressed confusion over the rules that led to his booking during the shootout and emphasized that his actions were not intentional.
As a result, he will be absent from the next match, and back-up keeper Robin Olsen is expected to fill in at Villa Park.
