Argentina's rugby union team, Los Pumas, have kept the Falkland Islands marked as Argentinian territory on official social media maps, escalating tensions ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash with England. The map, pinned to the top of the Pumas' Instagram page, shows the location of home fixtures and includes the Falklands despite omitting neighbouring countries.
Diplomatic Row Intensifies
The rugby fixture follows a bitter diplomatic row sparked by Argentina's football World Cup semi-final victory over England on Wednesday. After a 2-1 win, Lionel Messi's team held up a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' – 'The Falkland Islands are Argentinian'. Downing Street responded sharply, stating: 'The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are.'
England's rugby team, led by captain Jamie George, is bracing for a hostile atmosphere in Santiago del Estero. 'It's a big rivalry now,' George said. 'We look at Argentina on the calendar and know it will be a special occasion. They're an incredibly proud nation and it's going to be hostile.'
Historical Context and Tensions
The Falklands issue has plagued fixtures for decades. In 1990, England's rugby squad undertook the first British sporting tour of Argentina since the 1982 war. Players were pelted with objects and on-field violence marred the contests. Earlier this year, the Pumas' social media post highlighted the islands as Argentinian territory, a move that remains uncorrected despite the football controversy.
England have won all five meetings with Argentina under coach Steve Borthwick, including a November clash at Allianz Stadium where flanker Tom Curry was involved in a tunnel altercation with Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi.
Logistical Precautions
England have been forced to change hotels in Buenos Aires to avoid potential celebrations if Argentina win the World Cup final against Spain. The team travels to Santiago del Estero for Saturday's match but returns to Buenos Aires on Sunday, risking congestion similar to 2022 when millions gathered at the Obelisk after Argentina's World Cup win. They have booked a hotel near the airport for their Monday departure.
The Falkland Islands remain a British Overseas Territory; a 2013 referendum saw islanders vote overwhelmingly to retain that status. Argentina invaded the islands in April 1982, surrendering by June of the same year.
