Barça's Martinez on 'spitting' incident: 'I didn't aim towards Acerbi'
Controversy erupted in the dramatic Barcelona-Inter Champions League semi-final, as Barça defender Inigo Martinez denied intentionally spitting towards Inter's Francesco Acerbi. The incident, after an Inter goal, sparked a heated confrontation, with Martinez insisting it wasn't aimed.
The flashpoint occurred just before halftime following Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty, which put Inter 2-0 ahead on the night in the second-leg clash. As Inter celebrated, footage appeared to show Inigo Martinez, spitting in the direction of Francesco Acerbi, who had run past him during the celebrations.
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Following Inter's eventual 4-3 extra-time victory (7-6 on aggregate), Martinez addressed the incident. "Acerbi celebrated the goal in my ear, I got angry, but the spit was not aimed towards him," the Spanish international stated. "Otherwise, I would have been sent off."
Acerbi, who ironically scored Inter's dramatic late equalizer in normal time to make it 3-3, reacted furiously on the pitch. He had to be restrained by his Inter teammates and even Barcelona midfielder Pedri as he gestured towards Martinez.
Match referee Szymon Marciniak did not appear to witness the alleged spit, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials did not call for a review of the moment. At the time of the immediate post-match reports, both UEFA and Barcelona had declined to comment on the situation. However, such incidents can be subject to review by UEFA's disciplinary body once official match reports are assessed, potentially leading to further action.
