FIFA statement on Argentina flag at request of Falkland Islands | Soccer | Sports

FIFA has confirmed it is “evaluating” and “taking into account the relevant circumstances” after Argentina raised the Falkland Islands flag after Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final match against England.

Lionel Scaloni’s side came from a 1-0 deficit to book a place in Sunday’s final against Spain with a dramatic 2-1 victory in Atlanta, with Enzo Fernandes’ equalizer and Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time goal.

However, during the post-match celebrations, some Argentine players were furious after waving crude signs reading “Sons of Las Malvinas, Argentina” (which translates into English as “Argentines of the Falkland Islands”).

The Falkland Islands condemned the Argentine flag in a statement on Thursday, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on FIFA to launch an investigation into the flag and said the Falkland Islands were “ours”.

Hours later, FIFA responded to banners put up by Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and others with its own statement.

“As is standard procedure, FIFA’s Independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match report and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on possible further action,” a FIFA statement said.

FIFA’s statement came shortly after Jack Ford, chairman of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, wrote a letter to Argentina’s political flag, saying the parliament was “disappointed but not surprised” by the action.

Mr Ford said: “I am writing on behalf of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, the democratically elected body representing the people of the Falkland Islands, regarding matters following the England v Argentina match on 15 July 2026.”

“After Argentina’s victory, members of the Argentine national team held up placards that read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinanas’ as a clear political statement regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.’ A video of the club singing a chant about the Oakland Islands was also leaked. We are disappointed, but not surprised, by this incident. In 2014, the Argentine Football Association was fined £20,000 for similar behavior.

“We are raising this matter for the attention of FIFA for the following reasons.

Consistency with FIFA’s own rules. FIFA’s Disciplinary and Disciplinary Code prohibits the use of football matches and facilities for the purpose of conveying political, religious or personal messages (FIFA Stadium Code of Conduct Article 2.14 and FIFA Disciplinary Code Articles 15.1 and 17.2.e). The people affected by this law have a stable and democratic position. The Falkland Islands are a diverse, self-governing, self-financing British overseas territory. Internationally engaged in sports, science and humanitarian work itself. In the 2013 referendum on our country’s political status, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory, with a turnout of approximately 92%, in a vote independently observed by international observers. The Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina in 1982, and a hostile occupation lasted for 74 days. The events of the war were traumatic for the people of the Falkland Islands, and political action such as the one that followed the match was particularly insensitive to the people of the Falkland Islands. FIFA should keep this situation in mind when making decisions.

“Football is first and foremost a sport and it is the policy of the Falkland Islands Government to keep politics out of sport, and we support UK Minister Peter Kyle’s statement to this effect.”