UK urges FIFA to investigate Argentina over Falklands banner at World Cup

The British government urged FIFA on Thursday to investigate Argentina's team after players posed with a banner claiming sovereignty over the contested Falkland Islands.

Argentina beat England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal on Wednesday in Atlanta. During post-match celebrations, Argentine players held a banner handed over by fans in the stands, reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas"—"The Malvinas are Argentine." Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas.

U.K. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the players' behaviour was "entirely inappropriate" and expected FIFA to investigate thoroughly. FIFA can prosecute Argentina's players and soccer federation because its disciplinary code prohibits at stadiums any "message that is not appropriate for a sports event," including those of "a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature." FIFA fines for political messaging range from $5,000 to $20,000.

The Falkland Islands were invaded in 1982 under orders from Argentina's then-military dictatorship, triggering a 10-week war won by Britain. The conflict killed 649 Argentine troops, 255 British service personnel, and three islanders.

Argentina player Lisandro Martínez was asked if the banner could have stirred deep emotions for a veteran of the Malvinas conflict. "We couldn't let the Argentine people down," said Martínez, who has played in England for the past four years with Manchester United. Fellow player Leandro Paredes called it "a sad part of our history, for everyone involved in that chapter."