France launches official complaint over Argentina’s treatment of Kylian Mbappe
The French Football Federation has filed an official complaint over Argentina’s treatment of striker Kylian Mbappe.
In case you missed it, Mbappe has been the subject of a number of cruel taunts ever since Argentina's epic World Cup 2022 win.
Perhaps the most focus has been on the jibes by Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who asked of his teammates a 'minute of silence' for the opposition's star player after they beat France on penalties.
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Footage showed players laughing and cheering before continuing with their celebrations.
It was captured on Nicolas Otamendi's Instagram after the former Manchester City defender went live on the platform.
But the trolling didn't end there. Shortly after the winning squad landed back in Buenos Aires, millions of fans lined the city streets to get a glimpse of their heroes during the victory parade.
This time, Martinez was seen holding a toy baby with Mbappe's face on it, waving it around at fans as they toured the city on their lap around the capital.
Given the Paris Saint Germain superstar had put three goals past him, including two in the space of 95 seconds in a crazy period, many felt it was an act of 'small mentality' from Martinez.
Alongside a backlash online, French FA president Noel Le Graet has said he's now filed an official letter of complaint to the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia.
In an interview with Ouest-France, Graet said: "I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation.
"I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand.
"This is going too far. Mbappe’s behaviour was exemplary."
Alongside Martinez's treatment of Mbappe, the Aston Villa goalie also drew criticism for pulling a rather x-rated move with the Golden Glove trophy.
The Aston Villa goalie placed it on his crotch area and gestured towards the crowd as he walked off the stage.
He has since shared why he did it, and it turns out he wasn’t impressed with the behaviour of rival fans.
He told Argentine radio station La Red: "I did it because the French booed me. Arrogance does not work with me."
Bizarrely, this isn’t the first time Martinez has made such a gesture - last year he did pretty much the same thing when he was given the same award during the Copa America.
LADbible has contacted the French Football Federation and the Argentine Football Association for comment.
Topics: Football, Sport, World News, World Cup
Daisy Phillipson