Atlanta United has suspended forward Josef Martínez for one game for what it called “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Martínez will miss all team activities this week and will not be available for Atlanta United’s match against Toronto FC on Saturday.
Though the team did not provide details of what Martínez did to earn the suspension, The Athletic reported that the forward knocked over a catering table of food in frustration after Atlanta’s 2-1 loss to Portland on Sunday.
A source who witnessed the incident said: “(Martínez) just knocks it all over and there’s chicken and rice all over the locker room.”
Martínez then had a physical confrontation with his coach Gonzalo Pineda, with the pair having to be physically restrained.
Not great!
It’s been a frustrating season for Martínez, a club legend who has struggled to recapture his best form after knee surgery early in the season. He’s scored eight goals but only started 12 of his 22 appearances.
Martínez lashed out at his teammates and the front office after a loss in July, hinting he could leave the club at the end of the season despite his contract having one further season remaining.
This latest incident is likely to increase the 29-year-old’s chances of leaving the club sooner rather than later.
[lawrence-related id=6922,6903,6877]