Argentina have responded after FIFA confirmed it is assessing reports from the World Cup semi-final against England following the latest controversy surrounding the Falkland Islands. The world champions booked their place in Sunday's World Cup final against Spain with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Thomas Tuchel's side in Atlanta. But attention has since shifted away from the football after several Argentina players celebrated with a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" – "The Falklands are Argentine".
FIFA Review and Precedent
The banner has prompted calls for FIFA to take disciplinary action, with the governing body confirming it is now reviewing the incident. A FIFA spokesperson said: "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 based on the FIFA disciplinary code."
There is no prospect of Argentina being removed from Sunday's World Cup final, but the disciplinary process has fuelled speculation over what sanctions could follow. A precedent has been set: Argentina's football association was fined £20,000 by FIFA in 2014 after players held up an identical banner before a friendly against Slovenia, ruling that it breached regulations on political messages and team misconduct. Additionally, South Korea midfielder Park Jong-woo received a two-match FIFA ban after displaying a political banner regarding the disputed Dokdo/Liancourt Rocks islands at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Political Reactions
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged FIFA to suspend any Argentina players involved, pointing to UEFA's decision to ban Spain pair Alvaro Morata and Rodri for one match after chanting "Gibraltar is Spanish" during Euro 2024 celebrations. The UK Government has also backed calls for an investigation. Downing Street said: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver." Business Secretary Peter Kyle added: "Politics should stay away from football. That is a very clear principle of the World Cup. Any consequences that come from that is now a decision for FIFA." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has likewise said FIFA should investigate the incident.
Falkland Islands Government Response
The Falkland Islands Government said it was "disappointed" by the banner and urged FIFA to "sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules", adding that it did not wish to see politics brought into sport. Falkland Islands politician Jack Ford also criticised the celebrations, describing them as "a clear political statement regarding the sovereignty" of the islands. He noted that the Falklands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory and highlighted the 2013 referendum in which 99.8% of voters chose to remain under British sovereignty.
Argentina's Defence
Argentina have now hit back through President Javier Milei, who defended the players while acknowledging they could yet be punished. Milei said: "The Malvinas are Argentine. What the players did is understandable; emotion got the better of them. They did it, and that will probably lead to a discussion of an economic sanction. It is perfectly valid and legitimate for the players to want to express themselves and do so. The things that happen on the field with the players are not part of diplomacy. In the worst-case scenario, Argentina will face a £20,000 economic sanction from FIFA. We are going to recover the Malvinas, and we will do so through diplomatic means, with intelligence in our actions."
The Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas, have remained the subject of a sovereignty dispute since the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory.
