Argentina could face a FIFA fine after their players celebrated the World Cup semi-final victory over England with a banner supporting the country’s claim to the Falkland Islands. The gesture followed a dramatic 2-1 comeback in Atlanta that booked a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
Anthony Gordon had put England ahead after 55 minutes, before Argentina rallied late, Lautaro Martinez heading the winner in the 93rd minute. At full-time, several players, including Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso, held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.
The islands remain the subject of a long-running sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina. A British Overseas Territory since 1833, they lie around 300 miles off Argentina’s coast. The 1982 conflict lasted 74 days and cost the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, along with three islanders.
FIFA regulations prohibit political, religious or personal statements at sanctioned matches. The banner appears to fall foul of those rules, though any sanction is expected to come as a fine after the tournament rather than immediately.
There is a clear precedent. In 2014, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association ยฃ20,000 after players displayed an identical banner before a friendly against Slovenia, citing breaches over political action and misconduct.
The gesture echoed sentiments voiced in Buenos Aires. Vice-President Victoria Villarruel had framed the fixture in political terms beforehand and praised the players afterwards. “This is not just another match,” she wrote on X. “Against the English, it’s always something more.”
Manager Lionel Scaloni had struck a markedly different tone. “The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” he said before kick-off. “It was a very sad period in our history. We shouldn’t confuse the two.”
FIFA has approached the AFA over the incident as it weighs whether to open formal proceedings before Sunday’s final.
Read more –ย ย Tuchel Defends Tactics Over Englandโs Approach in Argentina Defeat
Also see –ย Messi Magic Sparks Late Argentina Comeback to Sink England and Reach Final
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