Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after some of their players displayed a banner backing the country’s claim to the Falkland Islands during celebrations following Wednesday’s 2-1 World Cup semifinal victory over England.
The incident came despite Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni stating before the match that he did not want the high-profile encounter to be overshadowed by the long-running territorial dispute between Argentina and Britain.
After completing a dramatic comeback from a goal down in the closing minutes to secure a place in a second consecutive World Cup final, several Argentina players posed with a banner bearing the message, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian,” before leaving it on the pitch.
The Falkland Islands remain a source of political tension between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The dispute led to a 74-day war in 1982, during which 655 Argentine military personnel, 255 British servicemen and three island residents lost their lives.
Argentina has consistently maintained its claim of sovereignty over the islands, located about 300 miles from its mainland and roughly 8,000 miles from Britain.
FIFA and football’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board, have consistently taken a strict stance against political messages, symbols and banners at international tournaments.
“Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo,” IFAB’s rulebook states.
“For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”
Argentina has previously been punished over a similar incident. In 2014, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after players displayed a banner carrying the same message before an international friendly against Slovenia.
