Roberto Martinez Addresses Euro 2024 Controversy

Roberto Martinez has moved to shut down the noise. Firmly.

Reflecting on the fallout from Euro 2024, the Portugal head coach rejected suggestions that lingering disciplinary issues played any part in his recent decisions, insisting an incident involving Antonio was blown out of proportion and properly dealt with at the time.

Speaking to Portuguese newspaper Record, the Spanish coach did not duck the subject.

"When there's a tournament and information leaks out, it's a very serious situation. At that time, we investigated and it was an accident. It wasn't a lack of discipline," Martinez said, underlining that the matter had already been scrutinised inside the camp.

The episode in Germany, which surfaced during Euro 2024, has continued to shadow Antonio’s name in public debate. Inside the dressing room, Martinez stressed, the story is different. The staff treated it as an unfortunate moment, not a breach of the rules.

"It happened at Euro 2024 and that's not part of the decision now. Two years have passed," he continued. "It happens in group dynamics and it's important to remember the most important thing: it was an accident and not an act of indiscipline. Antonio learned from it, but that's not part of the decision now."

That last line matters. Martinez drew a clear line between past and present, making it plain that any current selection calls rest on football, form and fit — not on an incident he considers closed.