Members of the Argentina squad, including six current and former Premier League stars, held up a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England in Atlanta. The banner translates to 'The Falkland Islands are Argentinian' and has sparked fury in the UK, with Downing Street backing calls for FIFA to investigate.
Tax Contributions Cover Defence Costs
According to Express estimates, the six Argentina players plying their trade in England — Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Senesi, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister — collectively pay around £22.99 million to HMRC in income tax and employee National Insurance each year. This figure is based on reported basic salaries for the upcoming season.
The total equates to about a third of Britain's annual defence costs for the Falkland Islands, previously estimated at northwards of £60 million.
Political and Diplomatic Reaction
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero and Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez were among those pictured holding the banner. Speaking after the match, Martínez said: 'I can picture a Malvinas veteran seeing that and weeping. I don't know if there might be sanctions or not, but what they did was display that banner and assert that the islands belong to us.'
A Downing Street spokeswoman responded: 'The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.'
The Falkland Islands government voiced its 'disappointment' over the banner incident, adding it was 'regrettably not surprised'.
Historical Context and FIFA Disciplinary Action
The Falkland Islands have been a British Overseas Territory since 1833. In 2013, islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain British. The 1982 conflict lasted 74 days and claimed 907 lives: 255 British military personnel, 649 Argentine military personnel and three Falkland Islanders. Argentina continues to claim sovereignty.
Argentina players have also chanted about the Falklands after earlier knockout victories: 'For the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo's last one.'
Argentina are expected to face disciplinary action under Article 34.3 of FIFA's rules, which prohibits political messages. 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.'
Argentina were fined by FIFA after holding up a banner with the same slogan following a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.
