Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after players displayed a banner referencing the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semi-final victory against England. The defending world champions secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback win in Atlanta, scoring two late goals to defeat Thomas Tuchel‘s side and advance to the final against Spain.
After the final whistle, Argentine players celebrated while holding a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine.” This gesture comes amidst a long-standing sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory located in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.
The two nations engaged in a 74-day conflict over the islands, situated 300 miles off Argentina’s east coast, from April to June 1982. This conflict resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, along with three individuals from the islands.
Previous Incidents and Political Statements
This is not the first time the Argentine Football Association has faced repercussions for such displays. In 2014, FIFA fined the association £20,000 after its players held up a similar banner before a friendly match against Slovenia. World football’s governing body had stated that the gesture violated rules concerning political action and team misconduct.
Leading up to the semi-final, Argentina‘s vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, made strong statements regarding the match. She referred to the English as “usurping pirates” and emphasized that the game was “not just another match.” Villarruel, whose father participated in the 1982 Falklands War, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the semi-final was “about putting the invaders in their place.”
Following Argentina‘s victory, Villarruel again posted on X, stating, “The Falklands are Argentine. They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts.” She also shared a video that appeared to show Argentine soldiers, reinforcing her sentiment that the match carried significant political weight beyond just football.
Villarruel’s comments also referenced the late football legend Diego Maradona and current star striker Lionel Messi, stating, “It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last run, and it’s about stopping the invaders in their tracks.” She concluded her post with a popular anthem echoed by Argentine fans during the tournament: “Go Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!”
Manager’s Stance and Security Measures
Despite the political rhetoric from the vice-president, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had expressed a desire to separate football from politics before the semi-final. He stated that he was “not going to mix” the two, emphasizing that it was a football match and that mixing things up would be “madness.”
Scaloni acknowledged the sadness of the historical period but maintained that it was a football match and the two should not be confused. He highlighted that the team remembered those involved in the conflict but focused on the sporting aspect of the game.
The semi-final, where England conceded late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, was held under increased security measures due to the historical tensions between the two nations. Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva had previously indicated that fans would be prohibited from bringing flags or other items referencing the Falkland Islands into the stadium as part of the security plan for the match in Atlanta.
This incident follows other instances during the tournament where Argentina players sang chants referencing the Falklands, as well as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, after their 3-2 win against Egypt in the last 16.
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Source: bbc.com
