FIFA instructed to kick Argentina out of World Cup after Falkland Islands stunt | Football | Sport

FIFA have been urged to boot Argentina out of the World Cup after they celebrated their win over England alongside a Falkland Islands banner. The sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory has emerged as a major talking point following Wednesday’s dramatic semi-final, which saw England throw away a one-goal lead with only six minutes remaining to lose in stoppage time.

After the final whistle, several Argentina players celebrated while holding up a banner that read: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as: “The Falklands are Argentine”. Political messaging is banned under FIFA rules, leading to the possibility of Argentina receiving a heavy fine. However, a significant chunk of Express Sport readers want FIFA to hand down the ultimate punishment.

Just over 90 per cent of respondents to our latest poll said that Argentina should be thrown out of the World Cup, which would presumably lead to England being reinstated in the final against Spain.

Such a move would be entirely unprecedented and would almost certainly spark the biggest controversy in the tournament’s 96-year history.

A fine would appear to be the most likely option, given that Argentina were forced to pay £20,000 following a similar incident in 2014, when their players held up a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.

The governing body issued a statement following the England game, confirming that they were looking into a potential punishment for Argentina.

The statement read: “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.”

Meanwhile, the government of the Falkland Islands issued a statement of their own, admitting they were “not surprised” by the antics of the Argentina players.

They said: “The Falklands government is disappointed, though regrettably not surprised, that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last night’s World Cup football semi-final, a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands.

“That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982, which left many traumatised.

“The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands.

“We hope FIFA will make good on their promise to keep politics out of sport, and sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules.”