Argentina Faces FIFA Sanctions for Celebrating England’s World Cup Victory with ‘Falklands Are Ours’ Banner
ARGENTINA could face a penalty after their players celebrated their World Cup semi-final victory over England by displaying a banner asserting their claim over the Falkland Islands.
Lionel Messi assisted two late goals, leading the reigning champions to a 2-1 comeback victory in Atlanta.
Following the match, the ecstatic players raised a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which means “The Falklands are Argentine.”
Notable players such as Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez were seen holding the sign.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes confirmed in a post-match interview that the Falklands “will forever be Argentine.”
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory located in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, about 300 miles off Argentina’s eastern coast.
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England fans clash outside the Atlanta stadium, leading to multiple arrests by armed police
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Argentina contests that the islands should be under its sovereignty and even waged war over the matter from April to June 1982.
This 74-day conflict resulted in 255 British and 655 Argentine military deaths, along with three civilians from the islands.
FIFA previously fined Argentina £20,000 in 2014 for displaying a banner with the same sentiment before a friendly match against Slovenia.
The South American team, set to face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final while aiming to defend their title, may anticipate further financial penalties for this latest incident.
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Football’s governing body has prohibited flags referencing the Falklands at the stadium due to their political implications.
Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel remarked on X that “it wasn’t just another game,” sharing a video that appeared to feature Argentine soldiers.
She stated, “The Falklands are Argentine. They banned us from bringing them to the stadium, but they forgot we carry them in our blood and hearts.”
Villarruel escalated tensions ahead of the semi-final by branding England as “usurping pirates.”
She expressed, “Tomorrow we face off against the usurping pirates. This isn’t merely another match.
“I refuse to be politically correct or emotionless: playing against the English is always about more than just the competition.”