FIFA is assessing the circumstances surrounding Argentina players holding up a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — “The Falklands are Argentine” — after the final whistle of their World Cup match. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the governing body’s independent disciplinary committee is currently reviewing match reports before deciding on any further steps under the FIFA disciplinary code.
The Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, remain the subject of a sovereignty dispute between the UK and Argentina. Argentina, then under a military junta led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, invaded the islands in 1982. The conflict lasted 74 days between April and June of that year, resulting in the deaths of 649 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, with three people from the islands also losing their lives.
Argentina have previously been fined for displaying a banner carrying the same message, with FIFA ruling at the time that the gesture had breached rules on political action and team misconduct. There is precedent for FIFA banning a player who has held up a banner with a similar political message, and while disciplinary action for general breaches typically follows in the weeks after a tournament, this incident may be treated more seriously given its occurrence in a World Cup match between the two countries.
Downing Street has backed calls for FIFA to investigate. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has gone further, calling for the Argentina players involved to be suspended for the final against Spain.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei described the players’ actions as “understandable” and “valid”, according to media reports, though he made clear in comments to Radio El Observador that “the things that happen on the pitch are not part of diplomacy”. Argentina’s place in the final is not under threat, with FIFA confirming there is no prospect of the country being removed from the match against Spain.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
