Argentina statement on England incident and World Cup punishments | Football | Sport

Argentina have released a statement through their president, Javier Milei, in response to FIFA potentially punishing the national team for their controversial banner against England. Having secured a place in the World Cup final thanks to a comeback 2-1 win over England in the semis, Argentine players displayed a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” – “The Falklands are Argentine”.

FIFA prohibits all political messaging at matches and the banner has sparked widespread backlash, with many calling on the governing body to pursue disciplinary measures. FIFA are currently investigating the incident, which has led to UK government fury in addition to fans insisting that Argentina should be kicked out of the competition altogether – which could see England reinstated in that scenario.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “As is standard procedure, FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA disciplinary code.”

Argentina have since responded through President Javier Milei, who stood by his players while conceding they could still face punishment.

“The Malvinas are Argentine,” Milei said.

“What the players did is understandable; emotion got the better of them.

“They did it, and that will probably lead to a discussion of an economic sanction. It is perfectly valid and legitimate for the players to want to express themselves and do so.

“The things that happen on the field with the players are not part of diplomacy.

“In the worst-case scenario, Argentina will face a £20,000 economic sanction from FIFA. We are going to recover the Malvinas, and we will do so through diplomatic means, with intelligence in our actions.”

There is very little possibility of Argentina being stripped of their place in Sunday’s World Cup final, but the disciplinary proceedings have sparked conjecture about what penalties might be imposed. And it appears a precedent has already been established.

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Argentina’s football association has previously faced punishment for a comparable incident. In 2014, FIFA imposed a £20,000 fine on the AFA after players displayed a similar banner ahead of a friendly against Slovenia, determining that it violated regulations concerning political statements and team misconduct.

There is also precedent for suspending individual players. South Korea midfielder Park Jong-woo received a two-match FIFA ban after displaying a political banner regarding the disputed Dokdo/Liancourt Rocks islands at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on FIFA to suspend any Argentina players found to be involved, citing UEFA’s decision to ban Spanish duo Alvaro Morata and Rodri for one match following chants of “Gibraltar is Spanish” during Euro 2024 celebrations.

The UK Government has similarly thrown its weight behind demands for a full investigation.

Downing Street said: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”

Business Secretary Peter Kyle added: “Politics should stay away from football. That is a very clear principle of the World Cup. Any consequences that come from that is now a decision for FIFA.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has equally stated that FIFA ought to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, the Falkland Islands Government declared it was “disappointed” by the banner and pressed FIFA to “sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules”, while making clear it had no desire to see politics introduced into sport. Falkland Islands politician Jack Ford also condemned the celebrations, calling them “a clear political statement regarding the sovereignty” of the islands.

He pointed out that the Falklands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory and drew attention to the 2013 referendum in which 99.8% of voters opted to remain under British sovereignty.

The Falkland Islands, referred to in Argentina as Las Malvinas, have remained at the centre of a sovereignty dispute ever since the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory.

“The Malvinas are Argentine.

“What the players did is understandable; emotion got the better of them.

“They did it, and that will probably lead to a discussion of an economic sanction. It is perfectly valid and legitimate for the players to want to express themselves and do so.

“The things that happen on the field with the players are not part of diplomacy.

“In the worst-case scenario, Argentina will face a £20,000 economic sanction from FIFA. We are going to recover the Malvinas, and we will do so through diplomatic means, with intelligence in our actions.”