Argentina players display Falklands banner after World Cup semi-final win over England
Post-match celebrations and political messaging
Following their World Cup semi-final victory over England in Atlanta, Argentina players displayed a banner referencing the 1982 Falklands War. The banner, which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” was held up by players Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso as they waved to fans. This display occurred after Argentina overcame a 1-0 deficit with five minutes remaining in the match, scoring two quick goals to secure their place in a second consecutive World Cup final, where they are scheduled to play Spain in New Jersey.
The message on the banner refers to the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the territory, known as the Falkland Islands in Britain and Islas Malvinas in Argentina. This dispute led to a 74-day conflict 44 years ago, resulting in the deaths of over 900 people, including 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons.
The origin of the banner was not immediately clear. This incident is not the first time political messages have appeared during the current World Cup. Previously, in Los Angeles, Iranian Americans displayed pre-revolutionary flags, symbols of protest against the Tehran government, during matches involving Iran. Those matches proceeded without any reported incidents.
Official reactions and security measures
The display of the banner by the Argentina players comes amidst heightened political rhetoric surrounding the match. Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel had referred to the English as “usurping pirates” prior to the semi-final clash. In a post on X, Villarruel stated, “It’s not just another match,” and continued, “I’m not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head – it’s always something more against the English.” She further linked the match to the Malvinas, the late football legend Diego Maradona, and current star Lionel Messi’s final run, asserting, “until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!” Villarruel’s father participated in the 1982 Falklands War.
These remarks from the Vice President contrasted with statements from Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players, who aimed to downplay the political and historical implications of the game. Scaloni commented, “It’s a football match, plain and simple. So, mixing the two would be madness.”
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul acknowledged the broader significance for some, stating, “We understand it’s a football game that transcends; it brings back memories of what Diego did.” However, he also emphasised the need to separate the two: “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.”
In anticipation of the semi-final, Argentina’s Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva had indicated that enhanced security measures were discussed in a meeting in the US. Monteoliva stated that 1,600 officers would be present, with the aim of ensuring a peaceful celebration. She also confirmed that the entry of items with provocative messages, whether political or racial, was prohibited under the security plan for the semi-final in Atlanta.
FIFA’s stadium code of conduct explicitly prohibits “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 incident.
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
