FIFA is under increased pressure to sanction Argentina for holding a flag referencing the Falkland Islands at the World Cup.
The Albiceleste booked their place in Sunday’s final by coming from behind to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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In the immediate aftermath, Argentina players celebrated around a sign which read ‘Los Malvinas son Argentinas’ which is Spanish for ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’.
Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Giovanni Lo Celso were all pictured holding the flag.
Meanwhile, midfielder Leandro Paredes said the Falklands ‘will always be Argentine’ in a post-match interview.
FIFA rules strictly prohibit political slogans, symbols and flags – and multiple banners were taken down in the stands before kick-off.
Downing Street responded on Thursday as a spokesperson for prime minister Keir Starmer 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 Peter Kyle described the actions of Argentina’s players as ‘entirely inappropriate’ and called for an investigation.
He said: “Politics needs to be separate from football. In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football.
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“That is now a matter for FIFA. I expect FIFA to do its investigation thoroughly.”
What is the precedent?
FIFA slapped Argentina with a £20,000 fine in 2014 for a similar incident before a friendly against Slovenia.
This suggests any penalty would be financial in its nature, although FIFA would have to consider this is a repeat offence.
There is precedent for individual footballing sanctions, albeit through a different governing body.
UEFA banned Spain players Rodri and Alvaro Morata for one match after they chanted ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ following their 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final.
An immediate one-match ban for the Argentina players involved in the Falklands protest would rule them out of the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.
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The controversy comes with FIFA facing unfounded claims of favouritism towards Lionel Messi and co in North America, meaning any decision will be heavily scrutinised.
Geopolitical tension
The Falkland Islands remain a point of contention between the UK and Argentina, more than 40 years on from the Falklands War, which claimed 907 lives across 74 days.
On their run to the final, the Albiceleste players and fans have adopted a chant known as ‘The Fourth Star’, which implores the team to do it ‘por Malvinas’ (for the Falklands).
In 2022, their ‘Muchachos’ anthem referenced ‘los pibes de Malvinas que jamás olvidaré’ – which is Spanish for ‘the boys of the Falklands whom I will never forget’.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was keen to stress the England clash was just another football match.
But the nation’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel stoked the flames with a vicious rant calling England the ‘usurping pirates’ before kick-off on Wednesday.
Falklands War timeline
March 19, 1982: Argentine scrap metal workers raise their flag on South Georgia Island, causing diplomatic friction and accelerating Argentina’s invasion plans.
April 2, 1982: Argentine forces launch Operation Rosario and successfully occupy the Falkland Islands after forcing the outnumbered British garrison to surrender.
April 3–5, 1982: The United Nations demands an Argentine withdrawal while British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher authorises a massive naval task force to retake the islands.
April 25, 1982: British special forces recapture South Georgia Island after damaging an Argentine submarine and forcing the local garrison to surrender.
May 2, 1982: A British submarine torpedoes and sinks the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano outside the exclusion zone, resulting in 323 casualties and effectively ending early peace negotiations.
May 4, 1982: Argentine aircraft retaliate by striking the British destroyer HMS Sheffield with an Exocet missile, causing the ship to sink days later.
May 21–28, 1982: British troops establish a secure beachhead at San Carlos and win the war’s first major land battle at Goose Green.
June 11–14, 1982: Following fierce battles on the mountains surrounding the capital, Argentine forces surrender to the British at Port Stanley, ending active combat.
March 2013: Falkland Islanders vote overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain a British Overseas Territory, a result recognised by the UK but dismissed by Argentina.
December 2023: Argentine President Javier Milei takes office, maintaining Argentina’s constitutional claim to the islands but advocating for a long-term diplomatic solution.
Mid-2026: Diplomatic tensions flare as the UK reiterates its defence of the islanders’ self-determination while President Milei publicly reaffirms Argentina’s sovereign rights.
After her nation’s victory, she posted: “It wasn’t just another match!”
Meanwhile, Argentina’s foreign minister released a statement hours after England’s defeat accusing Britain of trespassing into Argentine waters earlier this month.
Pablo Quirno lodged a diplomatic complaint, claiming the Royal Navy’s HMS Medway made an ‘unconsulted and illegal’ journey.
Writing on social media, he said: “In diplomacy, work is not shouted about like goals, but we are driven by the same conviction: the pride of being Argentine and the constant defence of our interests.”
In response, a No.10 spokesperson said: “The facts here are that we notified the Argentinian government in advance of HMS Medway undertaking a routine logistics visit to Chile between 5 and 8 July to support British Antarctic survey operations, which will deliver essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica.
“The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law, and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practical route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”
