LONDON: Britain has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina after its players displayed a banner referring to the disputed Falkland Islands following their victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.
After Argentina’s 2-1 win, players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”), reviving the decades-old sovereignty dispute between the two countries.
British Business Secretary Peter Kyle said displaying political messages on the field could violate FIFA regulations, which prohibit political statements and symbols during official competitions.
He urged world football’s governing body to conduct a full investigation and take appropriate action if rules were breached.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office also backed calls for an inquiry, saying that while England may have lost its place in the World Cup final, “the Falkland Islands are British.”
The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, have been disputed by the two countries for decades. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 before Britain regained control following a 74-day war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel.
FIFA had not issued an official response to the incident as of Thursday. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno said the government had lodged a diplomatic protest with Britain over the reported movement of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Medway near the Falkland Islands.
The latest dispute follows comments by Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who referred to Britain as an occupying power ahead of the semifinal, further escalating tensions.
