Argentina players celebrate beating England with ‘Falklands are Argentinian’ banner
Argentinian players celebrated beating England in the World Cup semi-final with a banner that read “Malvinas are Argentinians”, a reference to the Falkland Islands.
Former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was among those holding the banner as his teammates danced on the pitch after Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the Three Lions in Atlanta.
According to FIFA rules, political slogans are prohibited on the field or on players’ equipment.
Tension continues between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands. Argentina has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the Islands, which are approximately 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from the Argentine mainland.
In 1982, after the then far-right Argentine military dictatorship invaded the islands, the Falklands War broke out, claiming the lives of 907 people, including 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 Britons and three Falkland Islanders.
Today, archipelagos remain a major issue in Argentina, and football matches often feature numerous chants and flags. After their last 16 win against Egypt, their players celebrated by singing: “For the Malvinas, for Diego” [Maradona]for Leo [Messi]the last one.”
The flames were further fueled ahead of the semi-final when Argentinian vice-president Victoria Villarruel called England “invaders” and “usurping pirates”. “Tomorrow we will play against usurping pirates,” he wrote to X.
“This is no ordinary match. I’m not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; there are always more against the English. This is Malvinas, Diego, this is Leo’s last match and he is putting the brakes on the invaders. Go to Argentina! Because we will claim what is ours until our last breath!”
Argentine foreign minister Pablo Quirno also claimed that Falkland Islanders were an “artificially settled” population. “Therefore, no referendum organized unilaterally by the United Kingdom can have legal effect on a conflict whose negotiated resolution lies solely with Argentina and the United Kingdom,” he wrote in La Nacion.
Downing Street flatly rejected the Falkland islanders’ claims, saying they were “British people with the right to determine their own future”.
Asked about Mr Quirno’s comments, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their desire to remain a British overseas territory and their right to self-determination is paramount.”
The tension within the game appeared to spill outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta; In the photographs showing the fight between fans after the match, it was reported that the police took away at least three people.
