Buenos Aires residents back Argentina players over Falkland Islands banner as UK demands FIFA probe

Locals in Buenos Aires have expressed strong support for the Argentine men’s football team after players displayed a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas, following their World Cup semi-final victory over England. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from British officials, who have urged the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to launch an investigation into the conduct of the players.

The banner, which read "Las Malvinas Son Argentinas," was initially waved by fans in the stadium's front row during the match in Atlanta. According to reports from the Argentine newspaper Clarin, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso approached the supporters and asked to borrow the item. Photographs later showed Lo Celso holding the banner alongside centre-back Lisandro Martinez as the pair sang and celebrated their 2-1 win, with the banner subsequently seen lying on the grass.

British Business Minister Peter Kyle told BBC Radio that the incident required a formal investigation, emphasising that politics must be kept separate from the tournament. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey sent a public letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that the act directly insulted the people of the islands and calling for the players to be disqualified from Sunday’s final.

Despite FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct prohibiting banners of a political nature, the governing body had not issued a public sanction or comment as of Thursday. While similar actions in the past have resulted in fines or match bans, the organisation declined to respond to inquiries regarding the specific incident.

In Buenos Aires, residents near a monument to the Argentine war dead defended the players' actions. Martin Aguirre, 30, stated that he appreciated the gestures by Martinez and Lo Celso, noting that as public figures, they had a right to express opinions on sensitive issues despite the risk of sanctions. Federico Schenone, 52, described the display as a matter of history and legitimacy rather than political interference.

The semi-final match ended nil-all at half-time before Argentina secured a late comeback in Atlanta. Lionel Messi, the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals, provided assists for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. Messi also extended his all-time World Cup scoring record to 17 goals, a milestone he achieved during the group stage victory over Austria.

The dispute over the South Atlantic territory remains a long-standing point of tension between the two nations, stemming from the 1982 conflict in which 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British combatants died. Following the match, Messi acknowledged the weight of history, stating that many factors come into play during a match of such magnitude.