Fans demand FIFA ban Lautaro Martinez for England semi-final after barrier celebration goes unpunished

Argentina reached the World Cup semi-final against England with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland, but the aftermath has been dominated by controversy over a celebration that fans believe should have ruled out striker Lautaro Martinez for the next round.

Martinez, who was on a yellow card when he scored Argentina’s third goal in added time of extra time, jumped the perimeter barrier to celebrate with supporters in the stands. Under IFAB and FIFA’s laws of the game, climbing onto a perimeter fence or approaching spectators in a manner that causes safety or security issues is explicitly listed as a cautionable offence — meaning a second yellow card and an automatic suspension would have followed.

Neither the referee nor VAR intervened, and Martinez was allowed to continue. The omission drew immediate anger on social media. One fan posted on X: “Lautaro Martinez was already on a yellow card when he scored the goal. Despite that he crossed the barrier and went up to the stands to celebrate. This is a yellow card offence which would’ve ruled him out against England. So the ref and VAR decided to forget about the rule.”

A second user added: “By the letter of the law, that’s usually a cautionable offence. No second yellow, no semi-final suspension. People will ask questions.” Others pointed to the contrast with Switzerland’s Breel Embolo, who was shown a second yellow card for diving earlier in the same match following a VAR review.

On Reddit, supporters echoed the frustration. “It’s clear and simple — he just shouldn’t be able to face England in the next game,” one wrote. “Didn’t the referee see that? Also, it was a moment that could result in a red card due to a second yellow, so shouldn’t VAR intervene?”

The game itself had been tightly contested. Argentina and Switzerland were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Switzerland reduced to ten men following Embolo’s dismissal. Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute before Martinez’s late strike sealed the result and Argentina’s place in the last four.

FIFA has not commented publicly on the incident, and it remains unclear whether any retrospective action will be taken before the semi-final.