Argentina players brandished a controversial Falkland Islands banner after knocking England out of the World Cup. The team’s players held a sign that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, meaning “The Falkland Islands belong to Argentina”. The slogan references the contested territory which Argentina invaded in 1982.
Match Security and Fan Incidents
The match in Atlanta on Wednesday had the highest level of security at the tournament so far due to fears over fan trouble. Fights broke out between the fans after full time and a number of arrests were made outside the stadium.
Political Context
The banner has reignited tensions over the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory that has been a source of conflict between the UK and Argentina for decades. The 1982 war resulted in 255 British and 649 Argentine deaths.
More to follow.
