Argentina national team players hold up a banner referencing the Falklands War during the World Cup semi-final celebrations against England, prompting the UK government to call on FIFA to investigate the political act.
Several Argentina players holding banners (Image: Getty Images)
Argentina’s president insisted his players were willing to pay a fine imposed by FIFA after several team members displayed a flag referencing the Falklands War during a post-match celebration. The incident occurred shortly after Argentina overcame a 1-0 deficit to secure a place in Sunday’s final with a dramatic victory over England in the World Cup semi-finals.
In Atlanta, the Three Lions took the lead thanks to Anthony Gordon’s performance, but England’s second-half goals allowed pressure and Argentina took the lead. Enzo Fernandes leveled the score with a long-range shot, and just seven minutes later Lautaro Martínez made it back with a decisive header from Lionel Messi’s cross.
As the celebrations began on time, a group of Argentina players could be seen holding up a banner that read “Argentina, son of Las Malvinas”. Literally translated, it means “The Falkland Islands are Argentina.”
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The British government then asked FIFA to launch an investigation, claiming this was a blatant breach of rules on political symbols and gestures.
Nevertheless, the divisive Argentine president Javier Millay firmly supported the players, declaring: “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 will do so through action-informed diplomatic means.”
President Javier Millay of Argentina
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 controversy, Falkland Islands politician Jack Ford said: “Following the match between Argentina and Egypt, a video was also leaked of the Argentina national team singing a song about the Falkland Islands in the locker room. We are disappointed in this behavior, although unfortunately not surprised 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.”
FIFA itself responded on Thursday, saying: “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.”
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