Argentina could face disciplinary action from Fifa after players displayed a banner supporting their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semi-final victory against England. The defending world champions secured a 2-1 win in Atlanta, scoring two late goals to defeat Thomas Tuchel‘s side and advance to the final against Spain.
After the match, Argentina players celebrated while holding a banner that read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," which translates to "The Falklands are Argentine." This act references the ongoing sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina over the islands, a British overseas territory located in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.
The two nations engaged in a 74-day conflict over the islands from April to June 1982. This conflict, which occurred 300 miles off Argentina‘s east coast, resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, in addition to three people from the islands.
Previous Incidents and Fifa Regulations
This is not the first instance of Argentina facing scrutiny for such displays. In 2014, Fifa fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after its players displayed a similar banner before a friendly match against Slovenia. Fifa, the world football governing body, stated that the gesture violated rules concerning political action and team misconduct.
Fifa‘s stadium code of conduct explicitly prohibits "banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature" inside stadiums. Despite these regulations, the banner was seen on the pitch after the semi-final.
Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso were observed holding up the banner and waving to fans. The origin of the banner within the stadium was not immediately clear.
Political Context and Player Statements
The semi-final match was held amidst heightened security measures due to the historical tensions between England and Argentina. In the lead-up to the game, Argentina‘s Vice President, Victoria Villarruel, made several statements on social media, referring to the English as "usurping pirates" and emphasizing that the match was "not just another match." Villarruel‘s father participated in the 1982 Falklands War.
Following Argentina‘s victory, Villarruel posted on X, stating, "The Falklands are Argentine." She added that authorities "banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts." Earlier, before the semi-final, Villarruel had expressed that the game was "about putting the invaders in their place."
These political statements from Villarruel contrasted with the stance of Argentina‘s manager, Lionel Scaloni, who had expressed a desire to separate football from politics. Scaloni stated, "The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago." He described the conflict as "a very sad period in our history."
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also acknowledged the broader significance of the game but emphasized the need to focus on football. He noted, "We sing songs about our Malvinas heroes, mainly to remember them, but we have to understand that it’s a football match and that the Malvinas have to be discussed elsewhere."
Prior to the semi-final, after defeating Switzerland in the quarter-final, some Argentina players were heard chanting, "For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]’s last one." This chant highlighted the deep cultural and historical connections that many Argentinians associate with the islands and their football legends.
Security Measures and Match Outcome
Security measures for the semi-final in Atlanta were discussed at a meeting in the US, with Argentina‘s security minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, confirming that 1,600 officers would be present to ensure a peaceful celebration. She also stated that the entry of items with "any type of provocative message, whether of political or racial content, is prohibited."
Despite these measures, the banner was displayed. The match itself saw England lose to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, securing Argentina‘s place in the final against Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
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Source: bbc.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.