Argentina Falklands controversy reignited as player’s family hit out | Football | Sport
Leandro Parades’ sister, Barbara, has reignited the Falklands debate from the World Cup by claiming the island is Argentina’s after beating England. Following the semi-final between the two nations, a banner displaying “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falklands belong to Argentina”, was laid out on the pitch.
Lionel Scaloni’s side ultimately lost the final to Spain in disgraceful fashion but Barbara has made her feelings on their World Cup campaign perfectly clear. She told reporters: “Getting this far and beating England along the way meant everything to us. We might not have the fourth star, but we have the Falklands for ourselves.”
In the lead-up to their appearance in the final, statements were released by UK Government officials and the White House. The latter backed Argentina, while Labour leader Ed Davey demanded players be banned for making reference to a political issue on a banner.
Argentina’s Premier League players could technically have their UK work Visa’s cancelled if their actions are deemed “not conducive to the public good” with the Home Office legally having the power to take them. However, that has been deemed by legal expert Asma Bashir as “highly unlikely”.
Suggestions of that scenario even playing out came after quite the rant from Nile Gardiner, a former aide to Margaret Thatcher, who had deployed troops to reclaim the Island in 1982. The conflict stems back to the early 19th century, with the two nations both claiming ownership of the South Atlantic Island.
FIFA have not punished Argentina for that act but they may face retrospective action for the post-match scenes against Spain with an investigation opened. Parades was among those involved got into a brawl with Eric Garcia and Gavi in which he appeared to throw punches but he was not shown a red card.
“But with a chest full of pride for having given everything we had and for flying our flag at the very top once again! Thank you to everyone who was part of this national team. To this group of players who gave their all to represent this jersey, fighting for it until the very last second of every match! It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history.”
Parades’ mum, Myriam Benitez, also weighed in on the controversy when speaking to journalists waiting for Argentina’s return at the Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires. She said: “We never disrespect anyone. Respect always, I think that’s everything that motivates us and gets us to where we really want to go. I know what the Argentine National Team means to my son.”
The 32-year-old is currently playing his club football back in his home country with Boca Juniors after spells in France and Italy. Several members of the Argentina squad actually play their domestic football in Spain with Nahuel Molina on the books of Atletico Madrid.
He was another player caught up in a scuffle as he angrily confronted Spain midfielder Rodri after appearing to punch him in the mid-section. Dani Olmo was also on the receiving end of a punch with Argentina coach Roberto Ayala swinging his arm towards the Barcelom star’s face.
