Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after some of its players celebrated their World Cup semi-final victory over England by displaying a banner asserting the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands.
The defending champions booked their place in the final with a thrilling 2-1 win over England in Atlanta on Wednesday. England led until the closing stages before Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute and substitute Lautaro Martinez scored the winner in the injury time.
Following the victory, Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and defender Nicolas Otamendi were seen holding a banner that read, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Malvinas are Argentine), referring to Argentina’s claim over the Falkland Islands. According to The Athletic, the players briefly put the banner away before Lo Celso later placed it on the pitch.
Under the International Football Association Board (IFAB) guidelines, the display of political flags, slogans and symbols during matches is prohibited.
“For any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA,” the IFAB Laws of the Game state.
“Las Malvinas” is the name Argentina uses for the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory located about 480 kilometres east of the Argentine mainland. The sovereignty dispute dates back to the 19th century and remains a sensitive issue in relations between the two countries.
Britain has administered the islands since 1833, while Argentina continues to claim them as part of its territory. The dispute escalated into the 1982 Falklands War after Argentina invaded the islands on April 2. The conflict lasted 10 weeks before Argentina surrendered on June 14, claiming the lives of 255 British military personnel, 649 Argentine troops and three civilians.
The sovereignty dispute has frequently spilled over into football, fuelling tensions during matches between the two nations, particularly at the 1966, 1986 and 1998 FIFA World Cups.
“The Falklands are Argentine! They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts,” Argentina Vice-President Victoria Villarruel wrote on X on Wednesday.
After thrashing England in the semifinal, Argentina will now face European champions Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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