A fan smuggled a Falklands Islands banner into the World Cup semi-final by hiding it in his underwear, sparking an international incident after Argentina players waved it on the pitch following their victory over England.
Banner Smuggled in Fan's Underpants
The fan, who calls himself 'Santiago', boasted that he made the banner from his hotel bedsheet using a £7 pot of black paint from a DIY store. He then folded it and placed it in his underpants to sneak it past security at the Atlanta stadium where the match was played.
The banner read 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' (The Falklands are Argentinian) and was unfurled by Argentina players on the pitch, triggering outrage from the UK and Falkland Islands governments.
International Outrage and Demands for Action
The Falkland Islands government has lodged an official protest with FIFA, demanding action. UK Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for the players who displayed the banner to be banned from Sunday's final. Falklands War veteran Simon Weston, injured in the 1982 conflict, said the players 'incited hatred' after their World Cup win.
FIFA has promised to investigate whether the act breaches rules prohibiting political statements at matches, but a decision may not come until after the final.
Fan's Account of the Smuggling
Santiago told Argentine newspaper Todo Noticias: 'I folded it as much as I could, put it in my private parts to get through security checks, and in the end we managed to get in.' He said he threw the banner to Argentina right-back Gonzalo Montiel, who passed it to teammates. When he saw players holding it, Santiago said: 'I felt a joy that I can't put into words. How a piece of a bedsheet could mean so much to all Argentinians.'
He added: 'It was crazy. I never imagined it would end up going around the world because of a simple crazy idea we came up with at the hotel. Luckily there were no problems because most of us behind the goal were all Argentinians.'
Political Reactions
Argentina's President Javier Milei said it was 'understandable' that the players waved the banner and that mixing football and politics was 'perfectly valid and legitimate'. He reiterated that 'the Malvinas are Argentine' and suggested FIFA would likely impose a fine at worst.
Tensions escalated after the match, which Argentina won 2-1 in a comeback victory over England. Midfielder Leandro Paredes later stated on TV: 'The Falklands will always be Argentinian.' Vice-President Victoria Villarruel tweeted a victory message, saying 'it wasn't just another match', alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers. In the build-up, she had described England as 'invaders' and 'usurping pirates'.
In Buenos Aires, a million people gathered to celebrate, with England flags being set on fire. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded: 'The World Cup might not be ours but the Falkland Islands definitely are.'
