After the referee blew his whistle for fulltime at the end of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal, Argentina players understandably celebrated their come-from-behind 2-1 win in injury time over their longtime bitter rivals England.
However, during the celebrations, Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso waved to the fans and held up the banner, which read: “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”). It was unclear where the banner had come from, but there was a report that it had earlier been seen displayed in the stands.
“And they will always be Argentine,” midfielder Leandro Paredes told a reporter when asked about the banner.
“We were aware of what this match meant for the country. We tried to represent our nation and all those who lived through that sad moment in our history, so that they could identify with us and we could convey a positive image.”
Apparent violation of FIFA rules
The banner would appear to be in violation of tournament organizer FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct, which bans “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature.” It was not clear what, if any sanction football’s global governing body might impose on the players.
The question of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic has long been a source of tension between Argentina, which calls them “Las Malvinas”, and the United Kingdom.
Ongoing diplomatic tensions
This tension spilled over into war in the spring of 1982, when the leader of Argentina’s then-military junta ordered an invasion of the islands. Britain responded by sending a military task force to the islands, located a few hundred kilometers from Argentina’s eastern coast. In a conflict that lasted just over two months and claimed the lives of more than 900 soldiers on both sides, Britain repelled the invasion and reasserted control of the Falklands. While the islands’ residents voted overwhelmingly in a 2013 referendum to remain British, Argentines still claim the territory is rightfully theirs.
UK expects FIFA to ‘investigate thoroughly’
In response to the actions of the Argentine players on Wednesday night, the United Kingdom has called for FIFA to act.
UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC that the behavior of the players was “entirely inappropriate” and that politics and football need to be kept separate.
“In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football,” he noted. “That is now a matter for FIFA. I expect FIFA to do its investigation thoroughly.”
In the match itself, England had their hopes set on reaching their first World Cup final since 1966, when they last won the competition. The Three Lions took the lead in the 55th minute, but relinquished control and Argentina took advantage with two late goals, both assisted by Lionel Messi.
The 39-year-old superstar now has the chance to defend the World Cup title with Argentina. In his way stand Spain, who delivered a dominating performance in their 2-0 win over France in the first semifinal on Tuesday.
Edited by: Jonathan Harding
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