Argentine Falklands War veterans have condemned FIFA's punishment of the country's football association after players displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the British islands at the World Cup. The Centro de Ex Combatientes Islas Malvinas (CECIM), based in La Plata, just outside Buenos Aires, described the sanction as a "disgrace" and an attempt to silence their claim.
FIFA fine and stadium restrictions
The Argentine football association (AFA) was fined £235,000 for breaking anti-discrimination regulations after members of the Argentine squad held up a banner from the crowd following their victory over England in the semi-final in July. The banner read "LAS MALVINAS SON ARGENTINAS", which translates to "The Falklands Islands are Argentinian".
Of the total fine, £89,000 will be paid directly to FIFA, £73,000 is suspended, and another £73,000 is to be spent on anti-discrimination work in Argentina. Argentina has also been ordered to play its next home match at 50% capacity, with a further 50% restriction suspended at a subsequent match.
Veterans' response
In a statement signed by CECIM's secretary, Luis Apracio, and president, Rodolfo Carrizo, the group said: "The FIFA sanctioned the AFA with a fine of ten thousand dollars for the 'offence' of displaying the Falklands flag at the World Cup.
"In the face of this attempt to silence our claim, we, the inhabitants of this land that has not yet been sold off to foreign tycoons, ask the AFA to set up an account so that each of us can deposit one dollar. Our identity is worth more than this disgrace."
The statement added: "This initiative goes beyond the sporting issue: it has awakened the sovereign people and set off alarm bells in Balcarce 50 and among its cohort of cipayos." The term "cipayos" is used to refer to someone deemed to be serving foreign powers or outside interests instead of helping their own country.
Support for players
CECIM continued: "These players have done more for Argentine sovereignty than decades of bureaucracy and lukewarm diplomacy, once again putting our cause before the eyes of the world.
"At CECIM, we give our footballers our unconditional support. Let the AFA tell us where to make the deposit. The flag was born from the heart of the people, reached the pitch in the hands of the players, and filled with pride those of us who defend this homeland against the speculation and sell-off of our land."
The 1982 Falklands War saw invading forces ousted by British fighters in two months. The measures have been criticised by Argentine veterans of the conflict, who say they have "awakened the sovereign people and set off alarm bells".
