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Argentina players brandish political Falklands flag after England match
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- Argentina players Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso displayed a banner stating “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” after their 2-1 World Cup semifinal win over England, which appears to violate FIFA’s ban on political messages in stadiums.
- FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct prohibits banners and other items of a political, offensive, or discriminatory nature, but the governing body has yet to comment on the incident.
- The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) remains a contentious issue between Argentina and the UK, stemming from a 1982 conflict that resulted in significant casualties and British control of the islands.
- Argentina claims historical ownership of the islands based on inheritance from Spain, while the UK maintains control, supported by the majority of island residents who prefer to remain British.
- The origin of the banner held by the players is unknown, and the display drew attention amid ongoing diplomatic sensitivities between the two countries.
