FIFA have confirmed they are "assessing" and "considering the relevant circumstances" after the Argentina squad, including Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, held up a Falkland Islands banner following Wednesday's World Cup semi-final win against England.
Lionel Scaloni's men overturned a 1-0 deficit to secure their place in Sunday's final against Spain, with Enzo Fernandez's leveller and Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time strike sealing a dramatic 2-1 triumph in Atlanta. However, the post-match celebrations were overshadowed when some Argentina players, including Martinez, caused outrage by brandishing a crude sign reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates as "The Falklands are Argentinian".
FIFA Disciplinary Committee Steps In
FIFA have now issued a response regarding the banner, which was held by Martinez and former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso among others. "As is standard procedure, FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps," FIFA's statement read.
The Falkland Islands condemned Argentina's banner in a statement released on Thursday, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called upon FIFA to open a formal investigation into the incident.
Falkland Islands Assembly Responds
FIFA's statement followed swiftly after Jack Ford, Chair of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, penned a letter addressing the political banner displayed by Argentina, in which he described the Assembly as 'disappointed but not surprised' by the incident.
"I am writing on behalf of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, the democratically elected body representing the people of the Falkland Islands, regarding a matter following the England v Argentina game on the 15th of July 2026," Ford said. "Following Argentina's victory, members of the Argentina squad displayed a sign reading 'Las Malvinas Son Argentinas' in what was a clear political statement relating to the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
"Videos were also leaked following their Argentina v Egypt fixture in which the Argentinian squad sang chants about the Falkland Islands in their locker rooms. We are disappointed, though regrettably not surprised, by this manner of action, as this is not the first such incident: the Argentine Football Association was sanctioned for £20,000 by FIFA in 2014 for comparable conduct."
FIFA Rules and Historical Context
Ford raised the matter for FIFA's attention on several grounds, including consistency with FIFA's own rules. FIFA's Statutes and Disciplinary Code prohibit the use of football matches and facilities for political, religious, or personal messaging [FIFA Stadium Code of Conduct, section 2.14 and FIFA Disciplinary Code articles 15.1 and 17.2.e]. He also noted that the people affected by this act have a settled, democratic position: in the 2013 referendum on their political status, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory, on a turnout of approximately 92%, in a vote independently monitored by international observers.
Ford added: "The Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina in 1982, resulting in a 74-day hostile occupation. The events of this war left Falkland Islanders traumatised, causing such political acts as those after the game to be particularly insensitive to the people of the Falklands. FIFA should bear this context in mind as they make their decision."
Martinez's Argentina face Spain in the New York showpiece final on Sunday. The United defender will be hoping to win the World Cup for the second time after his success in Qatar four years ago.
