Image source, EPA/ShutterstockThe UK government has said “the World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are,” after Argentina players celebrated their victory over England by waving a banner in support of their country’s territorial claim.
Speaking after England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat in Atlanta, Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer wished both Argentina and Spain “well for the final, especially Spain”.
Argentina face the prospect of disciplinary action from Fifa. The banner held by some of their players read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.
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They remain the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina, with the two countries waging a brief but bitter war over the territory in 1982.
A British military task force ejected Argentine forces, who had landed on the Falklands to stake a territorial claim.
The 74-day conflict led to the deaths of 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine soldiers.
The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said: “Our position is unchanged, self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
She said any potential action against Argentina players who unveiled the banner was “a matter for Fifa”, but echoed the view of the Business Secretary Peter Kyle that world football’s governing body should investigate.
In 2013, the people of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory.
Of 1,517 votes cast in the two-day referendum – on a turnout of more than 90% – 1,513 were in favour, while just three votes were against.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton condemned the “disgraceful scenes” in Atlanta and said “football was used as a platform to challenge the democratic right of Falkland Islanders to determine their own future”.
Replying for the government, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty said it was a “real shame that people couldn’t focus on the football”.
He told MPs: “We have absolutely no doubt about our sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.
“The Falkland Islands are British, they remain British and they will continue to be British and Falkland Islanders want to be British and they have explained that many, many times. Let’s get back to focusing on the football.”
England’s World Cup dreams were shattered on Wednesday as Argentina scored two late goals.
Anthony Gordon’s opener had allowed England fans to dream of a first World Cup final since 1966, before Enzo Fernandez equalised and Lautaro Martinez won it for the holders in injury time.
It marked the latest chapter of an intense World Cup rivalry between the two countries, which notably includes Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal in a 2-1 victory for Argentina at the 1986 tournament in Mexico.
Speaking after the match, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes said the Falklands War was a “sad part of our history” and added the game “wasn’t just a football match” for his nation.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Argentina players who celebrated with the banner “must be barred from the final”.
He highlighted Spain players Alvaro Morata and Rodri being banned for one game by Uefa, the governing body of European football, after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their side’s Euro 2024 victory celebrations.
The UK has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, although this is disputed by Spain, who claim the territory as their own.
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” at the behaviour of some Argentinian players, adding: “The most important thing to do is build up the Royal Navy quickly.”
Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel posted on X after Wednesday’s victory that “it wasn’t just another match” alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentine soldiers.
“The Falklands are Argentine,” Villarruel posted. “They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts.”
Argentina players also sang chants which referenced the Falklands and Argentina greats Maradona and Lionel Messi following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16.
Before the semi-final, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had said he was “not going to mix” football and politics.
He said: “It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it, that’s the reality.
“Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match – we shouldn’t confuse the two.”
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