Roberto Martinez Addresses Antonio Silva's Euro 2024 Controversy

Roberto Martinez has moved to slam the door on speculation surrounding Antonio Silva’s past, insisting the defender’s Euro 2024 controversy has nothing to do with his current selection calls.

The Portugal head coach, speaking to Portuguese newspaper Record, addressed lingering rumours of a disciplinary issue stemming from the tournament in Germany and did not hide his frustration at how the story has dragged on.

"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 been fully dealt with two summers ago.

The incident, which emerged during Euro 2024, has hovered in the background of debates about Silva’s role with the national team. Martinez, though, drew a clear line. For him, this belongs firmly in the past.

"It happened at Euro 2024 and that's not part of the decision now. Two years have passed," he stressed. "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."

The message is blunt. Whatever choices Martinez makes from here on will be judged on form, fitness and football — not on an episode he considers closed.