Argentina's government has lodged a formal notification of protest with Buenos Aires' British embassy in the aftermath of the nation's 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semi-finals. It comes after a controversial banner was also displayed moments after full-time by members of Lionel Scaloni's squad.
Match Details and Controversial Banner
While Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second-half of the encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday evening, a late comeback from Argentina allowed them to secure their spot in Sunday's final. Enzo Fernandez scored a long-range goal with just five minutes left to play, before Lautaro Martinez secured the winner two minutes into stoppage time with a towering header. As a result, Argentina will now play Spain in the World Cup final, while England will aim for a third-place finish in a playoff against France.
In the wake of their victory, several of Scaloni's players courted controversy by unfurling a banner on the pitch bearing the words: 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas,' which translates to 'The Falklands are Argentinian.' The gesture represents a direct challenge to Great Britain, which established sovereignty over the islands in 1690.
Historical Context of the Falklands Conflict
When Argentina invaded the Falklands and attempted to seize control in 1982, then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched more than 100 ships carrying troops to defend the islands, sparking a conflict lasting 74 days. The war proved devastating, claiming the lives of 649 Argentinians, 255 Britons and three Falkland Islanders, before Britain once again assumed authority over the Falklands. However, that assertion remains contested by Argentina, who maintain the islands are theirs - a view reinforced by the national team on Wednesday.
Government Protest and HMS Medway Incident
Within hours of the banner being displayed by several of the country's players, it transpired that the Argentinian government had protested against the movements of the British vessel HMS Medway last week. The ship travelled from the Falkland Islands to the Strait of Magellan last week, but Argentina's foreign ministry allege that the warship did not adequately inform the nation of the movement. They also characterised the action as a 'military incursion' into territories under Argentinian jurisdiction.
The ministry said: 'By history, by law and by conviction, the Falkland Islands are Argentine,' though Britain maintains that Royal Navy vessels operating from the Falklands require no authorisation from Argentina to conduct operations in the South Atlantic.
Potential FIFA Disciplinary Action
This comes as Argentinian players who displayed the banner in Atlanta, Georgia, face likely disciplinary action from FIFA once the World Cup concludes. FIFA has regulations prohibiting political messages or gestures at fixtures, and financial penalties alongside possible suspensions could be imposed on those implicated in the display.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle is amongst those demanding FIFA investigate the matter. He told the BBC: 'We expect FIFA to undertake an investigation into this. 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.'
