Keir Starmer has expressed support for an investigation by Fifa into Argentina’s players who showcased a banner asserting their claim to the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semi-final victory over England, according to a statement from Downing Street.
While traveling to Ukraine by train for his final overseas trip as Prime Minister, Starmer backed a request made by Business Secretary Peter Kyle for Fifa to examine any potential violations of regulations.
During the contentious match in Atlanta on Wednesday, which ended with Argentina winning 2-1, several players displayed a banner proclaiming: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” the Argentine term for the disputed South Atlantic islands.
Argentina is set to compete against Spain in the final on Sunday. When asked which team Starmer would support, his spokesperson replied.
“The PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain.”
“The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver. “More broadly, potential action is a matter for Fifa, but it’s been a fantastic World Cup and we’ve said throughout that politics should stay out of football.”
Earlier on Thursday, Kyle described the banner as “an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football” during an interview with the BBC.
He continued, “The World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football. That is now a matter for Fifa. I expect Fifa to do its investigation thoroughly.” The Prime Minister’s spokesperson confirmed that Starmer supported Kyle’s calls for an investigation.
Regarding whether Thomas Tuchel should reassess his position after England’s lackluster performance, the spokesperson noted that it was a decision for the head coach. “Thomas Tuchel and his team have taken us deep into the tournament this World Cup, giving us thrilling matches against teams like Mexico and Norway that people in England will never forget, and he thinks that the team have represented England wonderfully, both on and off the pitch.”
The semi-final was anticipated to potentially reignite tensions surrounding the Falklands. The 1982 conflict, which erupted after Argentina’s invasion of the islands, resulted in the deaths of over 900 individuals.
Argentina has also raised concerns that HMS Medway, a Royal Navy vessel, traversed its national waters without consent while on its way from the Falklands to Chile this month.
“We notified the Argentinian government in advance of HMS Medway undertaking a routine logistics visit to Chile between the 5 and 8 July to support British Antarctic Survey operations, which will deliver essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica. “The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practicable practical route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”
The Falkland Islands government expressed disappointment over the incident, stating.
“The Falklands government is disappointed – though regrettably not surprised – that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last night’s World Cup football semi-final – a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands. “That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982, which left many traumatised. The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands … We hope Fifa will make good on their promise to keep politics out of sport, and sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules.”
