A group of Argentine fans heightened tensions by burning Union Jacks ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against England. Video footage showed a group of jubilant Argentines setting fire to the national flag in Escobar, near the capital of Buenos Aires. As the flames ignite, cheers erupt from the assembled crowd. Several onlookers can also be seen jumping up and down, shouting, “If you don’t jump, you’re British!”
The footage was reportedly taken after Argentina’s win over Switzerland on Saturday night, with the Three Lions clinching a place in the semi-finals earlier in the day. The World Cup champions have not faced England since a friendly in 2005. Although the two countries share a considerable history in the field of soccer, there is also an important background beyond the sport. The Union Jack was prominently used among British troops during the Falklands War and forms part of the current flag of the Falkland Islands.
Images of England’s flag being set on fire caused confusion, as it naturally conflicts with the St George’s Cross flag. On social media, one person wondered: “Are they that stupid or what?”
Another declared: “Burning the British flag thinking it’s British only proves that the greatest enemy of Argentines is not the British, but geography books.”
Argentina players were caught on film singing about the Falkland Islands (called Las Malvinas by Argentines) after their 3-1 victory over Switzerland in extra time. “For the Malvinas, for Diego (Maradona), for the last time for Leo (Lionel Messi),” they shouted inside the dressing room.
But Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni wants his players to be able to focus on the game and not get caught up in the emotions of the game. “The message is this is a football game,” Scaloni asserted at a press conference.
“That’s all I can say. We’re going to play a very tough opponent. They have a good coach. It’s a football game, that’s all.”
Meanwhile, Argentina forward Jose Lopez said: “Obviously, there was a lot of history in this game, a lot of pain, a lot of things behind it, both inside and outside the four lines of the pitch. I think we’re professional and we’re going to play like every game. We’re going to put our lives on the field until the last second.”
