‘Malvinas are Argentinian’: World Cup holders celebrate win over England with Falklands banner
Following their victory against England in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, Argentina players displayed a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas.” This message refers to the 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas.
The match saw Argentina come back from a 1-0 deficit with five minutes remaining, scoring two quick goals to secure their place in a second consecutive World Cup final. They are scheduled to face Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
Banner Display and Controversy
Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso were seen holding the banner and waving to fans. While it was not immediately clear where the banner originated, reports indicate it may have first been displayed by supporters in the crowd. Lo Celso, along with defender Nicolas Otamendi, held the banner before briefly putting it away and then laying it on the pitch.
The display of the banner could lead to sanctions from FIFA, as its stadium code of conduct prohibits banners, flags, and other paraphernalia that are political, offensive, or discriminatory. The rules of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) also state that equipment must not feature political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images. Any violation can result in sanctions for the player or team by the competition organizer, national football association, or FIFA.
FIFA typically waits for match reports before making decisions regarding such incidents. There is no specified timeline for when a decision might be made.
The term ‘Las Malvinas’ is used in Argentina for the Falkland Islands, a British dependency located approximately 480 km off the east coast of mainland Argentina. The dispute over the territory dates back to British claims in 1774 and reassertion of rule in 1832. The 1982 conflict, which lasted 74 days, resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons, as well as three civilians.
Political Context and Security Measures
The incident is not the first time political banners have appeared during the World Cup. Last month in Los Angeles, Iranian Americans displayed pre-revolutionary flags, which are symbols of protest against the Tehran government, during Iran‘s matches. Those games proceeded without incident.
Prior to the semi-final against England, some Argentina players were heard chanting, “For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]’s last one,” after their quarter-final win against Switzerland.
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul acknowledged the broader significance of the match, stating, “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.” He added that the team’s primary focus was to win the match and reach the final.
Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel had also made strong statements ahead of the semi-final, referring to the English as “usurping pirates” and emphasizing the historical and political weight of the match. Her father fought in the 1982 Falklands War. However, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players sought to downplay the political aspects, stressing that it was primarily a football match.
In anticipation of the semi-final, Argentina’s security minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, announced enhanced security measures. A meeting in the US on Monday discussed deploying 1,600 officers to ensure a peaceful celebration. Monteoliva stated that the entry of items with any provocative message, whether political or racial, is prohibited within the stadiums.
Argentina, as the reigning world champion, will play Spain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, with the opportunity to become only the third team to win back-to-back World Cups.
Source: theguardian.com
