UK calls for FIFA investigation over Argentina's Falklands banner

The British government has urged FIFA to investigate Argentina's national football team after several players displayed a banner supporting the country's claim to the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semifinal victory over England.

Argentina secured a 2-1 win in Atlanta on Wednesday to reach a second consecutive World Cup final. However, post-match celebrations were overshadowed when players, including Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso, held up a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Malvinas are Argentine"), referring to the disputed South Atlantic islands known in Britain as the Falkland Islands.

The banner, reportedly handed to the players by supporters in the stands, has raised questions over whether it violated FIFA regulations, which prohibit political messages, banners and symbols at World Cup venues.

London condemns display

UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described the incident as "entirely inappropriate" and called on FIFA to conduct a full investigation.

"Politics needs to be separate from football," Kyle told the BBC, adding that he expected the governing body to enforce its rules. He also praised England's players for their conduct following the defeat.

FIFA had not commented publicly on the incident as of Thursday.

Longstanding territorial dispute

The Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas, remain the subject of a decades-long sovereignty dispute between the two countries.

Britain has controlled the islands since 1833, while Argentina maintains they are part of its national territory. The dispute led to the 1982 Falklands War, after Argentina invaded the islands and British forces retook them following a 10-week conflict.

The incident has reignited political tensions surrounding one of football's most historic international rivalries and could lead to disciplinary scrutiny if FIFA determines its rules were breached.

Source:DailySabah