EXCLUSIVE: Falklands veteran Simon Weston and Jarvis Burt, whose brother was killed aged just 17 in the conflict, have hit out at the actions of Argentinian players after their World Cup semi-final win
Falklands veterans and politicians are united in fury over the players who brandished a banner with the slogan “the Falklands are Argentinian” after the country’s bad-tempered win over England in the World Cup semi-final.
Premier League stars Lisandro Martinez, who plays for Man Utd, Spurs’ Cristian Romero and ex-Man City player Julian Alvarez were among those who paraded the sign, which read in Spanish, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”. It was brought into the stadium in Atlanta by fans but made its way on to the pitch after the final whistle.
The game started in a tense atmosphere and both national anthems were booed loudly. Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel posted a victory message at full-time saying “it wasn’t just another match”, alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers.
In the build-up, she described England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates”. In the capital Buenos Aires, fans carried a Union Flag-shaped coffin and other supporters burned a cross of St George.
Falklands War vet Simon Weston, who sustained severe burns to 46% of his body when Argentine jets bombed the RFA Sir Galahad on June 8, 1982, voiced his anger. The South Wales businessman, 64, said: “The authorities should act and show Argentina that it must behave in accordance with the rules. None of the players on the field were alive when the war was on, so I don’t know how they align with this.
“It is probably the propaganda they have been fed by politicians in Argentina. The act was very immature, but what they are doing is hurtful and bullies always do things to hurt people.
“The Falkland Islanders are the most important people in all of this. They have to be free to choose their own sovereignty and democracy. They have already done that, backing the British 100 percent. We need to concern ourselves with the legality, and we need politicians in Argentina to be statesmanlike and not incite hatred.”
Mr Weston, a dad-of-three and grandfather-of-four, added: “The message at the game was on a dirty old bedsheet with the words scrawled on it. It would have been worse if they had all been wearing T-shirts with slogans or if it had been pre-planned.”
Jarvis Burt, whose brother Jason was killed by a sniper’s bullet in the Falklands War in June 1982, said that Fifa must come down heavily on the players. The 59-year-old said: “None of those players were even born when the war took place. They should show some respect to all those who died the Brits and the Argentineans too.
“If it was the other way round England would have the book thrown at them. This is disgraceful. This war was over 40 years ago and it cost my 17-year-old brother Jason his life. He was a massive football fan and would have been appalled by this.”
After his brother’s death his mum kept his room, with all his beloved Chelsea posters and memorabilia, exactly the same for 42 years until she died two years ago. Jarvis, from Harlow, Essex said: “The Argentinian players should not be displaying flags claiming the Malvinas are Argentinian.
“It’s a football match – they won – isn’t that enough? It’s shocking they waved this banner in front of their fans. Fifa should come down heavily on them – this is completely unacceptable.”
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said Fifa should not let those involved play in Sunday’s World Cup final as they had breached rules prohibiting the display of any political messages. Mr Davey pointed out that Spain’s Alvaro Morata and Rodri were banned for a game by Uefa after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their side’s Euro 2024 celebrations.
He posted online: “Now the Argentine players who celebrated with the ‘Falklands are Argentine’ banner must be barred from the final.”
The players could face disciplinary action for violating Article 34.3 of the tournament’s rules which prohibit the display of any political messages or slogans by players before, during or after a match.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokeswoman said yesterday: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are.” She added: “Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders.”
She said any potential action is a “matter for Fifa”, but asked whether the PM agrees there should be an investigation, replied: “I would echo that position.” Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said yesterday: “The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.”
Political tensions between Argentina and Britain over the territory have lingered for decades, with Buenos Aires laying claim to the islands. The Falkland Island Legislative Assembly wrote to Fifa’s disciplinary committee saying its people had been traumatised by the 1982 conflict and that the banner carrying was “particularly insensitive” to them.
Argentina players are no strangers to controversy. The French Football Federation complained over “racist and discriminatory remarks” in chants about France’s team after the 2024 Copa America final.
