Argentina unfurled a flag with a Falklands image after defeating England 2-1 to book their place in the World Cup final.
After defeating England in the World Cup semi-finals, Argentina players held up a banner that read: “The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) belong to Argentina” (Image: Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina could be punished for celebrating by raising a Falklands flag after their World Cup semi-final victory over England. As Enzo Fernandes and Lautaro Martínez completed their famous comeback, the defending champions unfurled a flag that read “Malvinas is an Argentine.”
Tottenham Hotspur stars Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso held banners and celebrated jubilant scenes with Lionel Messi and others in front of fans. However, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), football’s parliamentarians and FIFA have a clear position on the display of flags, slogans and symbols, which could result in sanctions for politically charged banners.
“Las Malvinas” is the Argentinian term for the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory located off the mainland of South America.
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The developments leading up to the semi-finals were overshadowed by the political background surrounding the history of both countries following the 1982 Falklands War, when the Argentine government invaded in an attempt to seize territory from Britain. The war lasted 10 weeks and resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine troops, 255 British troops, and 3 civilians.
FIFA could impose sanctions on the World Cup finalists for displaying a banner placed on the pitch by former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi. However, if it is not deemed political, it would violate FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct, which specifically prohibits content of a political nature.
“Equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not expose underwear that displays political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images or any advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo,” the IFAB rulebook states.
“Any violation will result in the player and/or team being sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or FIFA.” Mirror Football has contacted FIFA for comment.
Giovani Lo Celso holds up the ‘Las Malvinas Son Argentina’ flag after defeating England (Image: Getty Images)
Past incidents between the two countries on and off the pitch dominated the developments leading up to Tuesday’s semi-final showdown. After the 3-1 win over Switzerland, players were filmed chanting a song in celebration of the Falkland Islands, singing “For the Falklands” about defeating the Three Lions.
Footage of a Union Jack flag being lit on the outskirts of Buenos Aires has been leaked on social media, sparking widespread outrage. Lionel Scaloni’s side refused to be drawn on the politics surrounding the game, but could not ignore it as the full-time scenes in Atlanta reignited the narrative ahead of the game.
England collapsed in the embers of the semi-final, missing out on a place in their first World Cup final in 60 years.
Anthony Gordon ghosted in front of his marker to break a late deadlock and put the Three Lions ahead. But Argentina piled on the pressure, with Fernandes and Martínez scoring twice in seven minutes to deny England a place in the World Cup finals, and the one-time winning side ultimately deflated.
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