World Cup might not be ours but the Falklands definitely are, says defiant No 10 after Argentina banner row
Downing Street has backed a minister’s call for FIFA to investigate whether Argentine players broke the rules by unfurling a banner promoting their country’s claim to the Falkland Islands: “The World Cup may not be ours, but the Falkland Islands are certainly ours.”
It came after Argentine players unfurled a banner reading “The son of Las Malvinas is Argentine”, meaning “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”, following their 2-1 win against England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
Tensions between England and Argentina flared further after the football clash, with Argentina accusing a British warship of making an “illegal voyage” into its waters just hours after its victory.
However, No 10 claimed that the voyage was in accordance with international law and that Argentina was fully informed of the ship’s movement, which was part of a “routine logistics visit to Chile”.
Speaking about the politically charged banner, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The World Cup may not be ours but the Falkland Islands are certainly ours.
“Our position has not changed, self-determination lies with the islanders. Our commitment to the Falklanders will never waver.”
She added that any action to be taken “rests with Fifa”, adding: “We’ve said throughout that politics should stay out of football”.
The spokesman also backed comments by Trade Minister Peter Kyle, who said the intervention from Argentina was “wholly inappropriate” and called on FIFA to investigate its actions.
“I saw the footage this morning and of course it is completely inappropriate,” he told Sky News. “Politics must stay away from football. This is a very clear principle of the World Cup, but the consequences of this are now FIFA’s decision.”
Speaking to the BBC, he added: “We expect Fifa to launch an investigation into this matter. I think that was bound to happen because it was such an egregious breach of the rules of not engaging in political activity as part of football.”
The team could face disciplinary action from Fifa’s governing body for breaching rules banning political messages on the pitch.
Political tensions continue between Argentina and England over the Falkland Islands, and this tension turns into an armed conflict in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands.
Buenos Aires has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina.
Argentina vice president Victoria Villarruel had described England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates” in the build-up to the fixture and tweeted a full-time victory message saying “this wasn’t just a match” alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentine soldiers.
Later on Wednesday night, he posted photos of players holding the banner and a message to the effect: “The Falkland Islands are Argentine! They banned them from the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and hearts.”
This comes after Argentine foreign minister Pablo Quirno accused the Royal Navy of a “military incursion” into Argentinian waters in a statement on Wednesday night.
requested HMS Medway It entered Argentinian waters in early July without officially notifying the government. In his statement, he said a “formal note of protest” had been submitted to the British embassy to express the “strongest objection” to the action.
But No 10 hit back, claiming he had notified Argentina of the planned trip.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The facts here are that we informed the Argentine government ahead of HMS Medway’s scheduled logistics visit to Chile between 5 and 8 July in support of British Antarctic research operations, which will provide the necessary stores and supplies to continue scientific research in Antarctica.”
“The Royal Navy has always operated in full compliance with international law. The passage from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out by the most direct practical route, taking into account operational safety and weather conditions to ensure timely delivery.”
HMS Medway is a Batch 2 River class offshore patrol vessel normally based in the Falkland Islands.
Reigning champion Argentina beat the Three Lions 2-1 in the match played in Atlanta on Wednesday.
As Argentinian fans joyfully celebrated their victory, some fans near the field held a banner reading “The son of Las Malvinas is Argentinian”, which translates as Falkland Islands Argentinian. The banner moved towards the players who were enjoying the victory.
His actions sparked violent reactions in the United Kingdom; Tobias Ellwood, former army officer and former foreign and defense secretary, said: Independent: “Win or lose, do it with grace. This planned action not only annoys England, it is also intended to help Argentina deal with the humiliation of 1982 – which still shakes the country badly today.”
“Let’s ignore this pathetic display, stop sanctioning FIFA and be proud of England’s World Cup performance.”
Former security minister and army officer Tom Tugendhat described the banner as “the anger of a bankrupt and corrupt state who, as they have done before, divert attention from their government’s own failures”.
Meanwhile, Admiral Lord West, former head of the Navy and commander of HMS HotThe frigate sunk in the Falklands conflict said it was “poor childish behavior that we must ignore”.
“I still hope FIFA takes some disciplinary measures,” he added.
