Argentina were crowned champions of the World on Sunday for the first time in 36 years, after beating France on penalties. However, La Albiceleste's route to the final was embroiled in ugliness along the way, in particular the conduct of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. So should we be championing un-sportsmanlike behaviour and merely excusing these ill-disciplined outbursts as "passion" and "character". Or is their a line that shouldn't be crossed when it comes to Shithousery, where teams who seek benefit through playing dirty and inciting onfield conflict need to be condoned.
Emiliano Martinez: You either love him or hate him
The Argentine goalkeeper had just been awarded the golden glove for an outstanding World Cup tournament, in which he made decisive saves in two penalty shoot-out wins and had three clean sheets. As he walked away from officials he then rudely gestured with the trophy, thrusting with it infront of his groin.
To many it was perceived as a comical expression of his achievement, where he was attempting to draw attention to himself with the world watching. However, in the social media post that followed, in the back ground behind Emiliano Martinez is the shocked face of a Qatari official who looks on in disgust.
Rather than pass it off as merely a joke, was Emiliano Martinez's ill-advised gesture actually an act of disrespect, lambasting the awards ceremony or even a jibe at the entire tournament in Qatar. It could have been the goalkeeper's way of signalling his revolt to Qatar's principles, where his outlandish expression was supposed to represent freedom and show a refusal to be supressed.
What is known, is that in a World Cup that has been embroiled in political controversy and strongly demonised for Qatar's religious beliefs it was certainly not an appropriate act to be doing as a professional sportsperson.
Penalty nuisance
Passion and emotion are acceptable acts on a football field, certainly at a World Cup representing your country. However, Emiliano Martinez crossed the line during the penalty shoot-out against France in the final, when he delayed Aurelin Tchouameni's spot-kick by kicking the ball away. Many will argue, that Tchouameni missed the subsequent penalty and that the goalkeeper's unprofessional act was worthwhile. However, football is about fairness and sportsmanship where these players are role-models to the world and they should show a sense of professionalism on the pitch.
Kicking the ball away, represented a childish act that was immoral and dishonest. It was clear that the goalkeeper's aim was to unsettle and annoy the young midfielder burdened with taking a penalty with the weight of his country on his shoulders.
The 28 year old has been guilty of this irrational behaviour through-out the tournament, in the penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands he was seen dancing and strolling in the faces of the opposition when he saved their penalties.
It is a legal act in the game, and it is a tactic that he uses to un focus and give himself an advantage with the penalties, but it is not an admirable and gracious display of an individual's character.
Argentina at it again
It was not just the Aston Villa shot-stopper who was guilty of Shithousery for Argentina, in the quarter-final against the Netherlands the game spilled into a cagey and chaotic affair with plenty of onfield drama.
In the 89 minute PSG midfielder Leandro Parades fired the ball into the Netherlands dug-out, erupting a brawl on the field where the substitutes charged onto the pitch and Paredes subsequently ended up on the floor after Van Dijk knocked him over.
This was a blatant example, of Argentina's Shithousery mentality through-out the tournament where they have attempted to rile teams up and have been perpetrators of conflict.
Even Lionel Messi was guilty of being disrespectful to his former coach at Barcelona, Louis Van Gaal, where after he won the penalty shoot-out he stood infront of the Netherlands dug-out with his hands over his ears. The jibe was supposed to pay homage to his former teammate Riquelme who had been poorly treated by Van Gaal at Barcelona.
The entire team showed no mercy and were very callous celebrating their penalty-shoot victory, where the whole squad pointed and laughed in the faces of a distraught Netherlands side. This did result in Denzel Dumfries receiving a red card for his reaction.
Did Shithousery win for Argentina?
Ultimately, the Argentinian's don't care how their team won the World Cup and they will embrace it as part of their countries culture. Winning ugly and being combative on the field is a key component of being successful and this Argentinian side through-out the tournament displayed a desire to win at all costs and the ultimate patriotism for their country.
But, the manner of how you achieve something is extremely important in gaining respect and building a reputation. Argentina showed that fairness and integrity doesn't always win. Nevertheless, should Shithousery be something that needs to become more punishable, with harsher actions from officials or does it simply add character to our game.
Is Shithousery acceptable in football?
Yes
No
Comments