Falklands veterans and politicians have united in fury after Argentina players brandished a banner reading "the Falklands are Argentinian" following their bad-tempered 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England. Premier League stars Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), and former Manchester City player Julian Alvarez were among those who paraded the sign, which read in Spanish, "Las Malvinas son Argentinas." The banner was brought into the stadium in Atlanta by fans but made its way onto the pitch after the final whistle.
Veterans and Families Speak Out
Falklands War veteran Simon Weston, who sustained severe burns to 46% of his body when Argentine jets bombed the RFA Sir Galahad on June 8, 1982, voiced his anger. The 64-year-old South Wales businessman said: "The authorities should act and show Argentina that it must behave in accordance with the rules. None of the players on the field were alive when the war was on, so I don't know how they align with this. It is probably the propaganda they have been fed by politicians in Argentina. The act was very immature, but what they are doing is hurtful and bullies always do things to hurt people."
Weston added: "The Falkland Islanders are the most important people in all of this. They have to be free to choose their own sovereignty and democracy. They have already done that, backing the British 100 percent. We need to concern ourselves with the legality, and we need politicians in Argentina to be statesmanlike and not incite hatred." He noted that the message was on a "dirty old bedsheet," suggesting it could have been worse if pre-planned.
Family Remembers Fallen Brother
Jarvis Burt, whose 17-year-old brother Jason was killed by a sniper's bullet in the Falklands War in June 1982, said FIFA must come down heavily on the players. The 59-year-old from Harlow, Essex said: "None of those players were even born when the war took place. They should show some respect to all those who died – the Brits and the Argentineans too. If it was the other way round England would have the book thrown at them. This is disgraceful. This war was over 40 years ago and it cost my 17-year-old brother Jason his life. He was a massive football fan and would have been appalled by this."
After Jason's death, his mother kept his room, with all his beloved Chelsea posters and memorabilia, exactly the same for 42 years until she died two years ago. Jarvis added: "The Argentinian players should not be displaying flags claiming the Malvinas are Argentinian. It's a football match – they won – isn't that enough? It's shocking they waved this banner in front of their fans. FIFA should come down heavily on them – this is completely unacceptable."
Political Reactions and Calls for Ban
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said FIFA should not let those involved play in Sunday's World Cup final, as they had breached rules prohibiting the display of political messages. Davey pointed out that Spain's Alvaro Morata and Rodri were banned for a game by UEFA after they chanted "Gibraltar is Spanish" during Euro 2024 celebrations. He posted online: "Now the Argentine players who celebrated with the 'Falklands are Argentine' banner must be barred from the final."
The players could face disciplinary action for violating Article 34.3 of the tournament's rules, which prohibits the display of any political messages or slogans before, during, or after a match. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official spokeswoman said: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are." She added: "Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders." She said any potential action is a "matter for FIFA," but echoed the call for an investigation.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them." The Falkland Island Legislative Assembly wrote to FIFA's disciplinary committee, stating that its people had been traumatised by the 1982 conflict and that the banner was "particularly insensitive."
Background and Tensions
Political tensions between Argentina and Britain over the territory have lingered for decades, with Buenos Aires laying claim to the islands. In the build-up to the match, Argentina's Vice-President Victoria Villarruel described England as "invaders" and "usurping pirates." After the game, she posted a victory message saying "it wasn't just another match," alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers. In Buenos Aires, fans carried a Union Flag-shaped coffin and burned a cross of St George. Argentina players are no strangers to controversy; the French Football Federation previously complained over "racist and discriminatory remarks" in chants about France's team after the 2024 Copa America final.
