Emi Martinez Fires Back at Gennaro Gattuso Over World Cup Qualification Comments
The World Cup qualifying system has emerged as a heated topic of debate during this international break
Emi Martinez has responded sharply to Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso’s assertions that South American countries enjoy an easier route to the World Cup compared to their European counterparts.
The Aston Villa shot-stopper will feature for Argentina at next summer’s World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico after the defending champions dominated their Conmebol qualifying campaign.
Argentina finished top of the standings and will be accompanied at the World Cup by Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay, whilst Bolivia have an opportunity to qualify via a play-off.
Gattuso’s Italy will require a play-off to secure their place in the tournament having missed out on automatic qualification to Norway in Group I.
“In my day, the best [group] runners-up went straight to the World Cup; now the rules have changed,” Gattuso stated. “To change the rules, you need to tell those who organise these tournaments.
“Italy’s record of six wins [in qualification]? You’d have to ask the people who make the groups and the rules.
“In 1990 and 1994, there were two African [three qualified in 1994] teams; now there are nine. It’s not a controversy, but there are difficulties, and we know it well.
“If we look at South America, where six out of 10 teams go directly to the World Cup and the seventh heads into a playoff with a team from Oceania, that does give you regrets and a certain sadness.
“That is the disappointment. The system needs to change in Europe.”
Martinez has challenged Gattuso’s remarks, stating: “They always play on perfect, wet pitches… They don’t know what South America is like. There are other complexities that they don’t see in Europe.”
In his interview with TyC Sports, Martinez clarified the ‘complexities’ are the playing conditions, the lengthy journeys and even the intensity of the atmosphere in each match of the Conmebol qualifiers.