Argentina’s players held up a banner saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” after their 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semi-final, and FIFA have now issued a statement on the matter
Lisandro Martinez was among those to hold up the Falkland Islands banner(Image: Getty Images)
FIFA have confirmed they are “assessing” and “considering the relevant circumstances” after the Argentina squad – including Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez – held up a Falkland Islands banner following Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final win against England.
Lionel Scaloni’s men overturned a 1-0 deficit to secure their place in Sunday’s final against Spain, with Enzo Fernandez’s leveller and Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time strike sealing a dramatic 2-1 triumph in Atlanta.
However, the post-match celebrations were overshadowed when some Argentina players, including Martinez, caused outrage by brandishing a crude sign reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentinian”.
The Falkland Islands condemned Argentina’s banner in a statement released on Thursday, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called upon FIFA to open a formal investigation into the incident.
Now, FIFA have issued a response of their own regarding the banner, which was held by Martinez and former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso among others.
“As is standard procedure, FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps,” FIFA’s statement read.
FIFA’s statement followed swiftly after Jack Ford, Chair of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, penned a letter addressing the political banner displayed by Argentina, in which he described the Assembly as ‘disappointed but not surprised’ by the incident.
“I am writing on behalf of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, the democratically elected body representing the people of the Falkland Islands, regarding a matter following the England v Argentina game on the 15th of July 2026,” Ford said.
“Following Argentina’s victory, members of the Argentina squad displayed a sign reading ‘Las Malvinas Son Argentinas’ in what was a clear political statement relating to the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
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“Videos were also leaked following their Argentina v Egypt fixture in which the Argentinian squad sang chants about the Falkland Islands in their locker rooms. We are disappointed, though regrettably not surprised, by this manner of action, as this is not the first such incident: the Argentine Football Association was sanctioned for £20,000 by FIFA in 2014 for comparable conduct.
“We raise this matter for FIFA’s attention on the following grounds:
- Consistency with FIFA’s own rules. FIFA’s Statutes and Disciplinary Code prohibit the use of football matches and facilities for political, religious, or personal messaging [FIFA Stadium Code of Conduct, section 2.14 and FIFA Disciplinary Code articles 15.1 and 17.2.e].
- The people affected by this act have a settled, democratic position. The Falkland Islands are a diverse, self-governing, self-funding British Overseas Territory; and engage internationally in sport, science, and humanitarian work as such. In the 2013 referendum on our political status, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory, on a turnout of approximately 92%, in a vote independently monitored by international observers. The Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina in 1982, resulting in a 74-day hostile occupation. The events of this war left Falkland Islanders traumatised, causing such political acts as those after the game to be particularly insensitive to the people of the Falklands. FIFA should bear this context in mind as they make their decision.
“Football is, first and foremost, a sport, and it is the policy of the Falkland Islands Government to wish to not see politics brought into sport, and we support the statement by UK Minister Peter Kyle to this effect.”
Martinez’s Argentina face Spain in the New York showpiece final on Sunday. The United defender will be hoping to win the World Cup for the second time after his success in Qatar four years ago.
2026-07-16 19:49:15
