Argentina could defy FIFA World Cup rules again with Falklands banner | Football | Sport

Argentina’s players may defy FIFA’s World Cup rules once more by displaying the controversial Falklands banner again at Sunday’s final. Having already caused a storm of controversy with the banner after their semi-final win over England, reports from Argentina indicate the squad are still in possession of it, and there is a likelihood it could be paraded after the final against Spain.

The banner unfurled after the victory over England bore the message ‘Los Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates as ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’. The reigning world champions defeated England 2-1 on Wednesday evening, having recovered from a goal behind to net score late on and book their place in Sunday’s showpiece event. It was a heated affair packed with clashes and flaring tempers, summing up the deep-rooted rivalry between the two nations, both on and off the pitch.

As emotions boiled over after the final whistle, the Argentina players went to celebrate in front of their own supporters, when midfielder Giovani Lo Celso stumbled upon a fan-made banner that had been thrown from the terraces to the edge of the penalty area. He unfurled it and hoisted the banner carrying the aforementioned political message, aided by Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, both of whom play for English clubs currently.

The message, said to have been spray painted onto a hotel bedsheet by a group of Argentine fans, references the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands, situated off Argentina’s coast. Argentina disputes British sovereignty over the islands and calls them Las Malvinas.

Therefore, the banner provoked widespread outrage back in Britain, with many considering it disrespectful to the 255 British soldiers who lost their lives during the Falklands War in 1982. A statement from the UK Government issued on Thursday morning read: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are.”

Before the match, officials had prohibited the entry of any banners or flags relating to the Falklands conflict into the stadium. FIFA, which is examining a possible sanction in the form of a fine for the players who held it up, responded by saying: “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.”

Nevertheless, there remains a possibility that Argentina could risk FIFA’s punishment once more in another act of defiance, by displaying the banner again following the World Cup final against Spain. La Albiceleste’s kit man, Patricio Auber, apparently still has it in his possession.

He shared an Instagram story displaying the banner alongside the caption: “To whom it may concern… It’s in good hands!” Argentine publication La Nacion reports that the banner’s creators, whose identities remain undisclosed, expressed relief and stated their desire to retrieve it.

For the time being, it remains with the national squad at their team hotel. Whether it will be taken to New York for the final at MetLife stadium continues to fuel speculation in Argentina, although its reappearance could prompt a more severe response from FIFA.

Its creators succeeded in evading security in Atlanta and waited until the closing moments of the match before displaying it when the commotion reached its peak in the stands. It was seen by security staff, prompting them to throw it onto the pitch after growing concerned that they would be ejected from the stadium.

The players have shared their own views too, with several members of the Argentina squad seemingly regarding it as a moral duty to hold the banner aloft. Midfielder Leandro Paredes was questioned about the banner and responded: “And they [Malvinas] will always be Argentine.”

Manchester United defender Martinez added: “We couldn’t let the Argentine people down.” Meanwhile, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was quick to distance himself from the controversy.