Immediately after Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-finals, an uproar broke out overnight. Lionel Messi helped his country reach the final for the second time in a row with two late assists after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead.
However, it was the scene immediately after the final whistle that caused controversy and could result in Argentina being disciplined by FIFA. The full-time appearance sparked anger in England’s camp and tensions escalated as Jude Bellingham “slapped” Valentin Barco and the Argentine celebrated his victory in Atlanta.
However, a banner thrown onto the pitch by fans and displayed by the players that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” caused quite a stir.
In English, this translates to “Malvinas are Argentines”, and Malvinas is the Spanish term for the Falkland Islands.
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago located off the coast of Argentina, but they function as a British overseas territory.
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Argentine forces launched an invasion in 1982, after which a British military task force was deployed across the Atlantic to retake the islands. A 74-day conflict ensued, in which 255 British soldiers, 649 Argentine soldiers, and three Falkland Islanders lost their lives, and Argentina surrendered and the islands returned to British control.
In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to maintain their status as a British Overseas Territory, with only three votes against, following Argentina’s call for negotiations over the island’s sovereignty.
Argentina made it to the final, but the International Football Association Board (IFAB), soccer’s governing body and the world’s lawmaker, remains firm on the display of political flags and faces sanctions from FIFA for holding full-time celebrations.
The IFAB rulebook states: “Equipment must not contain political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.” “Players must not expose undergarments that display any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo.
“Any violation will result in the player and/or team being sanctioned by the tournament organiser, national football association or FIFA.”
The latest controversy follows Argentine Vice President Victoria Villaruel’s series of inflammatory statements on social media before Wednesday’s semi-finals that referenced the conflict.
“Tomorrow we will face the usurper pirates,” she wrote to X. “This is not just a game.
“I don’t mean to be politically correct or cruel. It’s always more than that against the English. It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s the last Leo, putting the brakes on the invaders.”
