‘It’s a sad part of our history…and it hurts’: Argentinian player defends Falkland Islands banner saying World Cup semi-final win against England ‘wasn’t just a football match’

Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes defended players holding ‘Malvinas’ banners following England’s semi-final defeat last night.

Classless South American players were accused of ‘warmongering’ for holding a banner claiming the Falkland Islands were theirs.

The banner ‘The Argentinian, son of Las Malvinas’ was unfurled by many star players and captain Lionel Messi danced along with it, despite FIFA’s ban on political symbols.

Sir Keir Starmer joined calls for an investigation into the banner, accusing the players of politicizing the match.

However, Paredes further highlighted the players’ antics, saying the match against England “wasn’t just a football match”.

He said the players were inspired by memories of the war.

he said Sky News: ‘Unfortunately this is a sad part of our history for everyone involved in this part of our history. And it hurts. We knew we were playing for them too. For all people, for our entire nation. I believe we did this in the best possible way.

‘For us, we always wanted to convey that this is not just a football match. We were aware that it was not just about that. It was very important for our entire country. And I think we are very happy.’

Throughout the tournament, players joined in Argentina’s popular chant: ‘For Malvinas, for Diego’ [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]The ‘last one’ after beating Switzerland in the semi-final against England.

Giovani Lo Celso placed the banner just under the TV spidercam after Argentina’s win

As the flag was raised the team went crazy and waved their jerseys over their heads

Britain has dominated the uninhabited islands for almost 200 years, after first setting foot on them in 1690. In 2013, 99.8 per cent of the public voted to remain a British Overseas Territory.

The banner sparked calls for players to be given one-match bans, similar to the punishment UEFA handed out to Spanish players who chanted ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ after defeating England in the 2024 Euro final.

The origins of the hostility date back to the ten-week war of 1982, when Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands by the British cost 907 lives.

Four years later, this situation spread to football, too, when Maradona scored the famous ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final match.

He used his fist to score the opening goal past England, allowing Argentina to win 2-1 and claim the World Cup trophy.

England suffered further heartbreak against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, when Sir David Beckham infamously received a red card in the penalty shoot-out.

Four years later Sir David exacted his revenge by scoring the only goal from the penalty spot as Argentina were eliminated from the tournament in the group stage.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso celebrated with the controversial banner after the final whistle.

Martinez said the banner “stirred up deep emotions” within the team, adding: “I can imagine a Malvinas veteran seeing this and crying.”

‘I don’t know if there will be sanctions or not, but what they did was put up that banner and claim that the islands belong to us.’

Trade Minister Peter Kyle today said it was ‘completely inappropriate’ to wave the banner and praised England for acting honorably in ‘the complete opposite of what we have seen from the Argentina team’.

A No10 spokesman said any possible action was ‘a matter for Fifa’, but when asked whether the Prime Minister agreed with the Cabinet minister that an investigation should be held, he replied: ‘I would echo that view.’

Shocking footage from the stands shows the Argentine team putting their fingers to their lips before raising the Falklands flag.

Lo Celso then carefully placed the banner on the pitch as the team mocked the England fans.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘One thing needs to be made very clear this morning. The Falkland Islands never belonged to Argentina. And it never will.”

Calls are growing for players carrying the flag to face tougher sanctions in such a big match watched by an estimated 950 million people worldwide.

However, the players are now trying to avoid sanctions by placing the blame on their own fans.

When asked about the banner, defender Gonzalo Montiel said: ‘They threw one off the stands and the kids caught it.’

Argentinian journalist Nelson Castro added: ‘Someone threw it on the field and they gave it to the players.’

The country’s fiery president, Javier Milei, added: ‘It is perfectly valid and legitimate for players to want to express themselves and to do so.’

Meanwhile, anger flared on the field after the match when Valentin Barco was slapped by Jude Bellingham.

Jude Bellingham had an argument with Argentina substitute Valentina Barco after the semi-final.

He also got into a conflict with defender Nicolas Otamendi as other players tried to stop them.

The substitute had provoked England’s stars in a competitive World Cup semi-final match.

Valentin Barco, an unused substitute during Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 win, was seen running onto the field of play and taunting the Three Lions after Enzo Fernandez had brought the reigning champions level in Atlanta.

In the footage, John Stones was seen pushing Barco away in frustration as the England players waited for the long celebrations to end.

It was reported that the star, who will go to Chelsea, filled the England bench for 90 minutes.

And the bad feelings resurfaced full time. In the minutes before the match, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was seen provoking Bellingham after the final whistle.

The England midfielder then slapped Barco on the back of the head after the Argentinian made a comment towards him.

When Barco went to hug a teammate, he appeared to say something when he turned, but it was unclear to whom his comment was directed or what was said. After a few minutes, Bellingham appeared to lose his cool, and the altercation resulted in him slapping Barco on the back of the head.

The full-back then returned and pushed Bellingham, his temper flaring. Nicolas Otamendi also came and pushed the Englishman.

A few Argentine players attempted to broker peace, but it seemed Bellingham and Otamendi wanted more head-to-head action, even if they were apart.

Later, as Bellingham’s anger subsided, he was seen being comforted by family and friends.