In Atlanta, Anthony Gordon’s performance gave the Three Lions the lead, but Argentina returned to the game after England withdrew in the second half. Enzo Fernandes equalized with a long-range shot, and just seven minutes later Lautaro Martínez headed home Lionel Messi’s cross to give Argentina victory.
During the immediate post-match celebrations, some Argentine players were seen holding up banners that read “Argentina, Son of Las Malvinas”, which literally means “The Falkland Islands are Argentina”. The British government subsequently called on FIFA to investigate the situation, saying this was a serious breach of its rules on political signage and expression.
But Argentina’s controversial president Javier Millay doubled down on behalf of the player, saying: “Malvinas is an Argentine. I understand what the players did. Emotions got the better of them.”
“They did it. It will probably lead to a discussion of economic sanctions. It is completely legitimate and legitimate for the players to want to express their opinion and do so.”
“What happens to players on the field is not part of diplomacy. In the worst-case scenario, Argentina will face a £20,000 financial penalty from FIFA. We intend to get Malvinas back and we intend to do so through action-informed diplomatic means.”
The incident sparked outrage on the island, with a member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly describing it as a “clear political statement about the island’s sovereignty”. The Falkland Islands government has written to FIFA requesting disciplinary action against the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Commenting on the incident, Falklands politician Jack Ford said: “Following the match between Argentina and Egypt, a video was also leaked of the Argentine national team singing a song about the Falkland Islands in the dressing room. We are disappointed, but not surprised, by this behavior, as this is not the first time something like this has happened…”
“The Falkland Islands are a diverse, self-governing, self-funded British Overseas Territory with an international commitment to sport, science and humanitarianism itself. In the 2013 referendum on our political status, 99.8 per cent of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory, with a turnout of approximately 92 per cent, in a vote independently monitored by international observers.”
