FIFA has launched a disciplinary investigation into a political banner displayed on the pitch by Argentina national team players after they defeated England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final.
Defender Lisandro Martinez, who plays for Manchester United, and substitute Giovani Lo Celso unfurled a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' (The Falkland Islands belong to Argentina) and waved it towards the stands after Wednesday's match in Atlanta.
A FIFA spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the independent disciplinary committee is reviewing match reports and examining the relevant circumstances to determine possible steps under the FIFA disciplinary code. The spokesperson said the process is 'standard procedure.'
FIFA's stadium conduct rules prohibit any message 'that is not appropriate for a sports event,' including messages 'of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature.' Fines for political messages range from approximately $5,000 to $20,000.
Strong Reaction from the UK
UK Trade Minister Peter Kyle told BBC television that he considered the incident a 'clear violation' of FIFA rules and called on FIFA to conduct a 'thorough' investigation.
A Downing Street spokesperson said, 'The World Cup may not be ours, but the Falkland Islands are definitely ours,' emphasizing the right of the islanders to self-determination and stating that the UK's commitment to the Falklands will never waver.
Defense from Argentina
Argentine President Javier Milei described the players' banner celebration as 'completely valid,' saying the message 'reflects a sentiment shared by all Argentines.' Milei added that he expects FIFA to fine the team.
Before the match, Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel had raised tensions by describing the British as 'usurping pirates.'
Meanwhile, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno announced that a formal protest note had been lodged, claiming that the UK warship HMS Medway had passed through Argentine territorial waters near the Falkland Islands 'without consultation and illegally.'
Shadow of the Falklands War
Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic, in 1982. The UK retook the islands with a naval task force sent by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The brief war cost the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 Britons.
Although the UK occupied the islands in the 19th century, Argentina considers the Falklands part of its own territory.
FIFA's Previous Decisions
FIFA has previously imposed disciplinary sanctions in similar cases involving political messages on banners:
- In 2014, Argentina displayed a banner with the same 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' slogan before the World Cup during a friendly match; after the tournament, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association 30,000 Swiss francs ($37,000).
- At the 2012 London Olympics, South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo was banned for two World Cup qualifiers after holding a banner that read 'Dokdo is our territory' following the bronze medal match against Japan.
- At the 2022 World Cup, the Football Association of Serbia was fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($24,800) for displaying a political banner in the dressing room that showed Kosovo as part of Serbia and included the slogan 'No Surrender'.
Argentina will look to defend their title in the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium.
