A government minister has hit back after Argentina players celebrated their World Cup semi-final victory over England by holding a banner about the Falkland Islands on the pitch in Atlanta, saying it was “entirely inappropriate” and calling for FIFA to investigate their actions.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni had said before the game he did not want the fixture to become about the conflict over the British overseas territory.
But after his side came from 1-0 down with five minutes left to win 2-1 to reach a second successive World Cup final, players held up a banner that read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates to ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’.
Reacting to the scenes, business secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News: “I had left and gone to bed before the banner came onto the pitch, but I saw the images this morning, and of course, it's entirely inappropriate.
“Politics should stay away from football. That is a very clear principle of the World Cup, but any consequences that come from that is now a decision for FIFA.”
He added: “I certainly think that FIFA should be looking into this. Absolutely, they should.”
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Kyle continued: “We expect Fifa to undertake an investigation into this. I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football.”
The team could face the prospect of disciplinary action from governing body Fifa for violating rules banning political messaging on the pitch.
Meanwhile, asked about the banner, Downing Street pointed to remarks from the prime minister’s spokesperson on Monday, who said: "The UK's position is clear, the islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British territory and their right to self-determination is paramount.
“The Falkland Islanders are British with the right to determine their own future."
Tobias Ellwood, a former army officer and ex-foreign and defence minister said: “Win or lose, do so with grace. This planned act wasn’t just about riling England, but about helping Argentina handle the humiliation of 1982 - which still hugely rattles the country today.
“Let’s ignore this pathetic stunt, leave FIFA to impose sanctions, and be proud of England’s World Cup performance.”
Former security minister and army officer Tom Tugendhat described the banner as: "The raging of a bankrupt and corrupt state diverting attention from their government’s own failures, as they did once before."
Political tensions linger between Argentina and the UK over the Falkland Islands, which boiled over into armed conflict in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands.
Buenos Aires has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the Falklands, which are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina.
Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel had described England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates” in the build-up to the fixture, and tweeted a victory message at full-time by saying, “it wasn’t just another match” alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers.
Later on Wednesday, night, she shared images of the players holding the banner, along with a message which translated to: “The Falklands are Argentine! They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts.”
England fans were devastated as their hopes that their team could end 60 years of World Cup hurt were dashed when the defending champions beat them 2-1.
Supporters of Thomas Tuchel’s side had been nervously optimistic that they could beat their old rivals, despite their concern that captain Lionel Messi could get in the way.
Argentina fans celebrated their victory jubilantly, with some near the pitch holding a banner which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, translated as the Falkland Islands are Argentinian.
The banner made its way to the players who held it up as they revelled in their win.
