FIFA says it is reviewing reports from Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England before deciding whether to take disciplinary action over a banner displayed by Argentine players after the match.
Following Argentina’s 2-1 win in Atlanta, players celebrated with a banner reading, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”), prompting criticism from British officials.
In a statement issued on Thursday, FIFA said its independent disciplinary committee was assessing the match reports and other relevant circumstances before determining whether any action was warranted under its disciplinary code.
The incident drew a strong reaction from the UK government, with Business Minister Peter Kyle describing the display as an “egregious violation” of FIFA rules prohibiting political messages on the field of play. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer also backed calls for FIFA to investigate.
The Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, have been the subject of a long-running sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina. The two countries fought a brief war over the South Atlantic territory in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands. Britain regained control following the conflict.
This is not the first time FIFA has sanctioned Argentina over the issue. In 2014, the country’s football association was fined £20,000 after players posed with a similar banner before an international friendly against Slovenia, an act FIFA ruled breached its regulations on political displays.
Argentine President Javier Milei defended the players’ actions, describing the banner as “perfectly valid and legitimate” and saying the claim to the Malvinas reflects the feelings of the Argentine people. He reiterated that Argentina would pursue its claim to the islands through diplomatic means.
The controversy comes amid renewed tensions between the two countries. Ahead of the semi-final, Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel referred to the British as “usurping pirates,” while Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno announced that Argentina had lodged a formal protest over the passage of a British naval vessel near the Falkland Islands.
FIFA has not indicated when it will announce its decision on the matter.
