Read 3 minutes16 July 2026 06:00 AM IST
After Argentina’s 1-0 loss to England in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, Argentina came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory, some of their players made a statement of a different kind. Giovanni Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi carried a banner onto the pitch at the Mercedes-Benz Arena that read ‘Las Malvinas putra Argentinas’ (The Falkland Islands are Argentina). The banner was a reference to the Falkland Islands (known in England as the Islas Malvinas in Argentina) that led to the 74-day conflict between the two countries 44 years ago. More than 900 people – 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons – lost their lives as a result of the conflict.
After the 1982 war with Argentina’s military government, England regained control of the Falklands. Argentina still considers the British protectorates essential to its national identity.
The banner could land the Argentina football team in trouble due to FIFA’s rules on political messages. Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, hoping to retain the title they won in Qatar 2022. Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute saw Lionel Messi and co fall behind England. However, Enzo Fernandez equalized with a long-range strike in the 85th minute, and Lautaro Martinez headed the ball into the net in the second minute of added time to give Argentina victory.
A report in the Guardian noted that after Argentina beat Switzerland in the quarter-finals to set up a match with England, some players were heard saying: “For Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Lion [Messi]is the last one.
While it is uncertain where the banner came from, Argentina fans were banned from carrying Falklands flags during the World Cup semi-finals, the Associated Press reported.
Argentina’s Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva said fans would not be allowed to carry some of their flags and banners that included images of the Falkland Islands into the game.
Monteoliva cited FIFA’s code of conduct, which prohibits politically divisive content. Her comments sparked a backlash on social media in Buenos Aires.
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FIFA’s code of conduct also states that fans “may not curse or chant in a political, offensive and/or discriminatory manner.”
But Britain’s top representative in Atlanta had said the Argentines were expected to continue their chants, which refer to the Malvinas, along with football greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Consul General Rachel Galloway told Atlanta First News that while fans sing about those issues, “we find a way to work together.”
(with input from AP)