Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Argentina players who brandished a banner claiming the Falkland Islands for Argentina after their 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup. The outgoing Prime Minister's official spokeswoman said: '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.'
Cabinet Minister Condemns 'Egregious Violation'
Business Secretary Peter Kyle also criticised the Argentinian stars, calling the protest 'entirely inappropriate' and lacking 'dignity'. He urged FIFA to thoroughly investigate what he described as an 'egregious violation' of tournament rules. The banner, which read 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' (The Falkland Islands are Argentinian), was held up by players including Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez and former Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso after the match in Atlanta, Georgia.
Calls for Player Suspensions and Visa Revocations
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for Argentina's players who celebrated with the banner to be suspended from the World Cup final. There were also demands for Argentinian stars playing in Britain, such as Tottenham's Cristian Romero, Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, Aston Villa's Emiliano Martínez, and Chelsea's Enzo Fernández, to have their visas revoked if they participated in the protest.
FIFA Rules Prohibit Political Messages
The players face disciplinary action for violating Article 34.3 of FIFA's rules, which prohibits the display of political messages or slogans before, during, or after a match. Kyle told BBC Breakfast: 'Politics needs to be separate from football. In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football.'
Argentina Lodges Diplomatic Protest Over HMS Medway
Separately, Argentina has lodged a diplomatic protest with the UK over what it called the 'unlawful' movement of the Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Medway near the Falkland Islands. The Argentine foreign ministry expressed its 'strongest rejection' of the movements and accused Britain of a 'military incursion' into its waters. However, Downing Street dismissed the protest, stating that the UK had notified Argentina in advance of the ship's routine logistics visit to Chile, conducted in full compliance with international law.
Political Reactions Across the Spectrum
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on X: 'The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.' Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for FIFA to fine Argentina for breaking rules, saying: 'It is very inflammatory, we went to war with them over protecting the rights of the islanders.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stressed the need to 'build up the Royal Navy quickly.'
Historical Context of the Falklands Dispute
The Falkland Islands, about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina, have been a source of tension between the two countries. The dispute erupted into war in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands, leading to a brief but costly conflict. Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, but the UK maintains that self-determination rests with the islanders, who have consistently voted to remain British.
