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Iñigo Martínez in the eye of the storm: the spit that could cost him dearly in Europe

The tension of football can bring out the worst in anyone, but what happened between Iñigo Martínez and Francesco Acerbi in Barça's last game will not go unnoticed by UEFA. The Barça defender could face a sanction of up to four matches for a gesture that, although it was not clearly captured on television, has spread like wildfire on social networks: a spit.

It all happened after Inter's second goal, scored by Calhanoglu from 11 yards. In the middle of the celebration, Acerbi turned and faced Iñigo, visibly angry. The reason? According to reports, the Barça player spat in the direction of the Italian defender. Although in the mixed zone he acknowledged the act, he also defended himself: "I was hot, he shouted the goal in my ear. I spat, but not at him, it was at the ground, a metre away. If it had been to my face, I'm sure I'd have been sent off".

The centre-back's version has not helped to calm the waters, especially after several videos from the stands have cast more doubts than certainties about his intention. And although the VAR did not intervene and there was no immediate disciplinary action during the match, the case has reached the offices of UEFA, which could intervene ex officio after reviewing the images.

The spitting allegedly took place just after a challenge in which Iñigo, as usual in these tense situations, tried to break Calhanoglu's concentration before the penalty. Acerbi, it seems, did not take it well and responded as soon as the ball went in.

It would not be the first time that UEFA has made an example of such behaviour. The most famous precedent is perhaps that of Francesco Totti, who was given a three-match ban at Euro 2004 for spitting at Denmark's Poulsen. The Danish federation then lodged a formal complaint, and UEFA acted mercilessly. Something similar happened with Angel Di Maria in France, when he was punished with four matches for a similar act against Alvaro Gonzalez.

Further back in history, there are other less-than-exemplary examples. Frank Rijkaard, curiously enough a former Barça coach, spat at Germany's Rudy Völler at the 1990 World Cup. He was caught on camera, and FIFA gave him three matches. More recently, Marcus Thuram was fined one month's wages and five matches after spitting at Stefan Posch in the Bundesliga. Even in Brazil, the case of Deyverson, suspended for six matches for spitting in the derby between Palmeiras and Corinthians, is a reminder that such behaviour is not tolerated in any corner of professional football.

Returning to the current situation, the Catalan club are awaiting the possible sanction that could come in the next few days. It would be yet another setback for a Barça side who are struggling to get off the ground in Europe and who saw Acerbi spoil the party with a goal almost on the stroke of half-time to seal a 3-3 draw.

Iñigo's behaviour has sparked debate: was it an unfortunate gesture in the heat of the moment or a disguised aggression, and should he be punished as harshly as in other similar cases? UEFA will have the final say, but the defender already knows he is on the back foot.

What is clear is that in today's football there is no margin for such actions. Every gesture is recorded, analysed and shared every second. Iñigo, with his impulsiveness, has crossed a line that is no longer forgiven in modern football.