Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after their players celebrated Wednesday’s World Cup semi final victory over England by displaying a banner backing the country’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
The reigning world champions came from behind to beat Thomas Tuchel’s England side 2-1 in Atlanta, scoring twice late in the game through Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to secure a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
Following the final whistle, several Argentina players held up a banner bearing the words Las Malvinas son Argentinas, a political message referencing the disputed islands that could attract sanctions from world football’s governing body.
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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni had insisted before the match that football should remain separate from politics, saying the historical episode remains a sad period that should not be confused with the football match itself.
The semi final was played under heightened security given the long standing intensity of the England Argentina rivalry, with organisers citing both historical volatility and the high profile nature of the fixture as key considerations.
Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday’s final, in what promises to be a blockbuster conclusion to the tournament, while FIFA is expected to review the banner incident in the coming days.
