Falklands poster controversy spreads: UK government seeks FIFA action against Argentina Football News
The British government has urged FIFA to investigate the Argentinian football team after its players displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands during celebrations of their World Cup semi-final victory over England.Argentina beat England 2-1 fifa world cup The semifinals will be played in Atlanta on Wednesday. During the post-match celebrations, Argentinian players posed in the stands holding a banner handed to them by fans that read “Las Malvinas Sons Argentinos” (“Malvinas is Argentinian”). Argentina calls the Falkland Islands the Malvinas Islands.The team could face disciplinary action from FIFA under rules prohibiting political messaging on the field.Business Secretary Peter Keir criticized the players’ actions, saying they crossed the line between sport and politics.“Politics needs to be separated from football,” Kyle told the BBC. “Indeed, one of the core principles of the World Cup is the separation of politics and football.“This is now a matter for FIFA. I hope FIFA will investigate thoroughly.”The rivalry between England and Argentina goes beyond football due to their long-running dispute over the Falklands. The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory with a population of approximately 3,500 people. The islands are about 8,000 miles (13,000 kilometers) from the United Kingdom and about 300 miles (480 kilometers) from Argentina.Argentina insists the islands were illegally seized in 1833. Britain says its claims date back to 1765 and sent a warship to the islands in 1833 to clear out Argentine troops trying to assert sovereignty over the territory.After Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, the dispute triggered the Falklands War. The conflict lasted 10 weeks and ended with the British regaining control. A total of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers and 3 islanders died.
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