After securing a place in Sunday’s final with a late comeback, several Argentina players held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas..reports Asian Lite News desk
Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after players displayed a banner supporting the country’s claim to the Falkland Islands following their 2-1 FIFA World Cup semi-final victory over England.
After securing a place in Sunday’s final with a late comeback, several Argentina players held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) during their celebrations before leaving it on the pitch.
The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, remain at the centre of a long-running sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina. The issue led to the 1982 Falklands War after Argentina invaded the islands, with British forces retaking the territory following a 74-day conflict.
Ahead of the semi-final, Argentina Vice-President Victoria Villarruel posted messages on social media linking the match with the Falklands dispute, while after the victory she wrote on X: “The Falklands are Argentine! They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts.”
The semi-final was played under heightened security because of the historic tensions between the two countries. Argentina players had also referenced the Falklands in post-match celebrations following their Round of 16 victory over Egypt.
FIFA has previously sanctioned the Argentine Football Association over a similar incident, imposing a £20,000 fine after Argentina players displayed a banner carrying the same message before a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.
