The Argentine squad marked their World Cup semi-final triumph against England by displaying a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” referencing the conflict over the Falkland Islands.
Trailing 1-0 with just five minutes remaining in the match held in Atlanta, Argentina rallied to score two quick goals, securing their place in a second consecutive World Cup final, where they are set to compete against Spain in New Jersey this Sunday.
This banner alludes to the territorial dispute that sparked a 74-day conflict 44 years ago, resulting in the deaths of over 900 individuals, including 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons.
Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso proudly held the banner up, smiling as they waved to the supporters in the stands. The origin of the banner remains unclear.
Political banners have previously sparked discussion during the World Cup. In Los Angeles last month, Iranian Americans displayed pre-revolution flags as symbols of dissent against their government during a match involving Iran, and those games proceeded without incident.
After defeating Switzerland in the quarter-finals, several Argentine players were heard chanting.
“For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]’s last one.”
Rodrigo De Paul, a midfielder for Argentina, commented.
“We understand it’s a football game that transcends; it brings back memories of what Diego did. We sing songs about our Malvinas heroes, mainly to remember them, but we have to understand that it’s a football match and that the Malvinas have to be discussed elsewhere. What happened was an atrocity and we always remember the fallen, but what we want is to win this match to get to the final.”
FIFA’s code of conduct prohibits “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” within stadiums. FIFA has yet to respond to requests for comment on this incident.
Argentina’s security minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, stated on Tuesday that enhanced security measures had been discussed during a meeting in the US on Monday. “There will be 1,600 officers. We want the celebration to be peaceful,” she told local radio in Argentina. “The entry of elements that have any type of provocative message, whether of political or racial content, is prohibited.”
