UK urges FIFA probe over Argentina Falklands banner

Downing Street has backed calls for FIFA to investigate Argentina players after they celebrated their World Cup semi-final win over England by holding a banner supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands.

The banner, displayed after Argentina’s 2-1 victory in Atlanta on Wednesday, read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine.” Argentina will play Spain in Sunday’s final.

A Downing Street spokesperson responded with a pointed line: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”

The spokesperson said any potential action against the Argentina players was “a matter for FIFA,” but said No 10 echoed Business Secretary Peter Kyle’s call for football’s world governing body to “thoroughly” investigate the incident. Asked whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed with Kyle that there should be an investigation, the spokesperson said: “I would echo that position.”

Asked whether Downing Street agreed with Kyle’s description of the conduct as an “egregious violation” of the rules, the spokesperson said: “Any action taken is a matter for FIFA, I’ll leave it for them. I’d point you to the business secretary’s words this morning.”

The BBC reported that Downing Street said Starmer wished both Argentina and Spain “well for the final, especially Spain.”

The Guardian reported that Article 34.3 of the tournament’s rules prohibits players from displaying political messages or slogans before, during or after a match. Argentina were fined by FIFA after holding up a banner with the same slogan following a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for the Argentina players who held the banner to be suspended for the final. He said they “must be barred from the final,” citing the one-match bans imposed by UEFA on Spain players Alvaro Morata and Rodri after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during celebrations after Spain’s Euro 2024 win.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “disgusted” by the behaviour of some Argentinian players and added: “The most important thing to do is build up the Royal Navy quickly.”

The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. Britain and Argentina fought a 74-day war over the islands in 1982 after Argentine forces landed there to assert a territorial claim. A British military task force expelled them. The conflict killed 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine soldiers.

The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said the UK’s position was unchanged: “Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”

In a 2013 referendum, Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a UK overseas territory. Of 1,517 votes cast on turnout of more than 90%, 1,513 were in favour and three were against.

Argentina reached the final after scoring twice late against England. Anthony Gordon had put England ahead, but Enzo Fernandez equalised before Lautaro Martinez scored the winner in injury time. The Guardian reported that the match drew a peak BBC audience of 24 million, the highest-rated live television event of the year.