Argentina players display Falklands banner after World Cup semi-final win over England
Post-match celebrations include political message
Following their World Cup semi-final victory against England, Argentina players displayed a banner stating “Las Malvinas son Argentinas.” This message references the 1982 Falklands War, a conflict that occurred 44 years ago over the territory known as the Falkland Islands in Britain and Islas Malvinas in Argentina. The banner was held up by players Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso, who were seen smiling and waving to supporters in the stands.
The display occurred after Argentina secured their place in a second consecutive World Cup final. They were trailing 1-0 with five minutes remaining in the semi-final match, held in Atlanta, but managed to score two quick goals to win. Argentina is now set to face Spain in the final on Sunday in New Jersey.
The 1982 conflict resulted in the loss of over 900 lives, including 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons. The sovereignty of these South Atlantic islands remains a contested issue between the two nations. This incident is not the first time political banners have appeared during the current World Cup tournament. Previously, Iranian Americans displayed pre-revolutionary flags, symbols of protest against the Tehran government, during Iran‘s matches in Los Angeles last month. Those matches proceeded without any reported incidents.
Security measures and official reactions
Ahead of the semi-final match, Argentina‘s Vice President Victoria Villarruel made comments on social media platform X, referring to the English as “usurping pirates.” She stated that the match was “not just another match,” linking it to the Malvinas, the legacy of Diego Maradona, and what she described as Lionel Messi’s final run in the tournament. Ms. Villarruel’s father participated in the 1982 Falklands War.
In contrast to the Vice President’s remarks, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players sought to minimise the political and historical implications of the game. Scaloni described it as “a football match, plain and simple,” and cautioned against mixing football with other issues. Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also commented on the situation, acknowledging the historical significance but emphasising the focus on the football match itself. He stated, “We understand it’s a football game that transcends; it brings back memories of what Diego did. We sing songs about our Malvinas heroes, mainly to remember them, but we have to understand that it’s a football match and that the Malvinas have to be discussed elsewhere. What happened was an atrocity and we always remember the fallen, but what we want is to win this match to get to the final.”
Security measures were put in place for the semi-final. Argentina’s security minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, confirmed that enhanced security arrangements were discussed at a meeting in the US. She stated that 1,600 officers would be present and that the entry of items with provocative messages, whether political or racial, was prohibited. This aligns with Fifa’s stadium code of conduct, which bans “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” inside stadiums. Fifa did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the banner displayed by the Argentina players.
Prior to the match against England, after defeating Switzerland in the quarter-final, some Argentina players were heard chanting: “For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]’s last one.”
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Source: theguardian.com
