The Falkland Islands Government has urged FIFA to sanction the Argentine national football team after players displayed a political banner following their World Cup semi-final victory over England. The banner, which read 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' (The Falklands are Argentinian), was held up by several players after Argentina's 2-1 win on Wednesday evening.
Background of the Dispute
The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory, have been a subject of sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina. Great Britain colonized the islands in 1833, but Argentina invaded in 1982, sparking a 74-day war that resulted in 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British armed forces, and three Falkland civilians dead. Despite the conflict, Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands.
FIFA Regulations on Political Statements
FIFA's regulations explicitly prohibit political statements in football. The disciplinary code states that for any offense, the player and/or team will be sanctioned by the competition organizer, national football association, or FIFA. The Falkland Islands Government has called on FIFA to enforce these rules.
In a statement to Mirror Football, the Falkland Islands Government said: "The Falkland Islands Government is disappointed – though regrettably not surprised - that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last night’s World Cup football semi-final - a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands."
The statement continued: "That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the Islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982, which left many traumatised. The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands."
UK Government Response
UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle also called for sanctions, stating: "My reaction is that it was entirely inappropriate. Politics needs to be separate from football. In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football. That is now a matter for FIFA. I expect FIFA to do its investigation thoroughly."
Kyle added: "I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football."
FIFA's Stance
FIFA has acknowledged the incident, with a spokesperson saying: "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."
Any potential sanctions are unlikely to be imposed before the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for Sunday at the MetLife Stadium, with kick-off at 8pm BST.
