FIFA investigates Argentina players' Falklands banner after World Cup semi-final win over England

Argentina booked a place in the World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in Atlanta, but the celebrations were immediately engulfed by a political storm over a banner proclaiming 'Las Malvinas son argentinas' ('The Falklands are Argentine'). FIFA confirmed on Friday that its independent disciplinary committee is examining the incident, while British politicians across the spectrum demanded sanctions and Argentine President Javier Milei voiced support for the players.

The match

England took the lead in the first half and held it deep into the second, but Argentina struck twice in the dying minutes. Enzo Fernández equalised before Lautaro Martínez grabbed the winner in injury time, both goals set up by captain Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old, playing in his sixth World Cup, said the team's resilience did not surprise him.

This group doesn't surprise me. I know and we know what we were capable of. People might have had doubts about us because we had players who were very much at their limit, but when we come together and are united, it always gives us an extra boost.

Argentina had already survived extra-time scares against Cape Verde and Switzerland, and a 3-2 comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt. They will face Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey.

The banner

As the players celebrated on the pitch, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso approached fans in the front row and borrowed a homemade white banner that had been displayed in the stands. He then held it up alongside centre-back Lisandro Martínez, with the message 'Las Malvinas son argentinas' clearly visible. The banner was later seen lying on the grass. Midfielder Leandro Paredes told a reporter the islands 'will always be Argentine' and said the team wanted to represent those who lived through 'that sad moment in our history'.

We were aware of what this match meant for the country. We tried to represent our nation and all those who lived through that sad moment in our history, so that they could identify with us and we could convey a positive image.

FIFA rules and precedents

FIFA's Stadium Code of Conduct explicitly bans 'banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature'. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) regulations also prohibit political slogans on players' kit. Past cases have led to sanctions: Argentina were fined for a similar banner during a 2014 friendly against Slovenia, and Spanish players Rodri and Morata received one-match bans in 2024 for chanting 'Gibraltar is Spain' during European Championship celebrations. FIFA had classified the Argentina-England semi-final as the only high-risk match of this World Cup.

Political fallout

In London, the reaction was swift and cross-party. Business Secretary Peter Kyle called the gesture 'entirely inappropriate' and demanded a thorough investigation. Downing Street said: 'The World Cup may not be ours but the Falklands certainly are. The right to self-determination belongs to their inhabitants and our commitment to the islands will never waver.' Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch insisted 'the Falklands are and will remain British', while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey wrote to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging that the players be disqualified from the final.

The World Cup may not be ours but the Falklands certainly are. The right to self-determination belongs to their inhabitants and our commitment to the islands will never waver.

In Buenos Aires, the mood was defiant. President Milei described the banner as 'understandable' and posted on X that Argentina is getting closer 'every day' to recovering the islands. Fans near the war memorial in the capital backed the players, with one 30-year-old telling Reuters he appreciated the gesture 'even though they know they could face a sanction'.

The islands dispute

The Falklands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, lie about 480 kilometres east of the Argentine coast and have been under British control since 1832. In 1982, Argentina's military junta invaded, triggering a 74-day war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers. A 2013 referendum saw islanders vote overwhelmingly to remain British, but Argentina has never dropped its sovereignty claim. The semi-final was the latest chapter in a long football rivalry that includes Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' match in 1986, after which he described the win as 'revenge' for the war dead.

What comes next

FIFA has given no indication of what sanctions, if any, it might impose. The disciplinary committee is reviewing match reports and 'evaluating the relevant circumstances' before deciding on further measures. Argentina's focus now shifts to Sunday's final against Spain, where Messi expects 'an even contest' against a team he knows well from his 17 years at Barcelona.