FIFA assesses Argentina after players display Falklands/Malvinas banner vs England

Britain have ruled the Falklands since January 1833 and in 2013 in a referendum, 99.8 per cent of citizens voted to remain as a British territory.

Argentina’s post-match celebrations against England were shrouded in controversy (Picture: EPA) The Argentine Football Association has created a special day to commemorate their side’s victory over England at the 2026 World Cup. England and Argentina renewed their fierce rivalry for the first time in 21 years when both sides reached the semi-finals of this summer’s World Cup. The fixture came 40 years on from England’s infamous 2-1 defeat to the Albiceleste, made famous by Diego Maradona’s controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal that secured a 2-1 win for Argentina. And while England took the lead this time around through Anthony Gordon’s second-half strike, the Three Lions fell to a heartbreaking defeat by the same scoreline after two late Argentina goals. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Enzo Fernandez’s long-range effort levelled the match in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in the 92nd minute. And while Argentina would ultimately go on to lose in the final to Spain, the South Americans have decided to celebrate their achievements at this World Cup by creating ‘National Football Teams Day’. The commemoration will be held on July 15 in tribute to the date of Argentina’s aforementioned victory over England. Enzo Fernandez scored in Argentina’s win over England (Picture: Reuters) ‘The date was chosen to commemorate the Albiceleste’s great and historic victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup,’ the association confirmed in a statement. ‘The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, were trailing the English side by a single goal but, thanks to goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, managed to turn the result around and send the whole country into a frenzy, with people flooding the streets in celebration. ‘But the tribute is not only for that milestone of the Senior Team. The recognition, of course, is also for each and every one of the national teams (youth, men and women, futsal, beach soccer and field soccer), which day by day train at the Lionel Andrés Messi centre with the enthusiasm, joy and responsibility of defending the blue and white.’ Argentina unfurled the controversial banner at full-time (Picture: Getty) Fifa have charged the South Americans following the World Cup (Picture: AP) Argentina’s victory over England was quickly shrouded in controversy after some of their players celebrated while holding a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates as ‘The Falklands are Argentine’. The South Atlantic islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory, but have historically been the source of tension between the two nations. 44 years ago, Argentina sought to invade and occupy the Falklands but ultimately surrendered after a 74-day war, which cost the lives of 255 British servicemen and 649 Argentinian personnel. The banner drew uproar from the UK government, with Fifa eventually charging Argentina for the banner following their World Cup final defeat. As well as the banner, FIFA are also investigating the Argentine FA over potential breaches relating to discrimination, racist abuse, as well as throwing of objects by fans at ‘several’ matches at the tournament. The footballing governing body also opened proceedings against two Argentinian players, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, and coach Roberto Ayala for assault after an ugly brawl broke out following full-time in the World Cup final. Separately, Molina and Thiago Almada are both under investigation for unsporting behaviour, as is Spanish midfielder Gavi. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Argentina’s players unfurled the controversial banner following their World Cup win over England

Argentina’s World Cup players have sparked a cultural moment for the disputed Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands athletes at the Commonwealth Games have addressed Argentina’s controversisal banner (Pictures: PA/AP) A Falkland Islands athlete at the Commonwealth Games has described Argentina’s controversial World Cup banner as ‘disappointing’. Argentina reignited tensions over the South Atlantic territory after they scored two late goals to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-finals. Following the victory, Argentine players unfurled a banner which read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, referring to their country’s claim over the Falkland Islands. 44 years ago, the South American country sought to invade and occupy the Falklands but ultimately surrendered after a 74-day war, which cost the lives of 255 British servicemen and 649 Argentinian personnel. The Falkland Islands have six lawn bowlers competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and singles star Cecil Alexander expressed his frustration that the conflict had dragged back into the spotlight. ‘It’s disappointing when politics gets mixed with sport,’ Alexander said after her 10-3, 7-4 defeat by the former world No1 Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple of Malaysia. ‘We are here to compete and represent our country. We keep politics out of it.’ Argentina players held the banner after beating England at the World Cup (Picture: AFP) Asked about his life on the Falkland Islands, Alexander responded: ‘I am fairly new to the Falkland Islands but I am enjoying [living there].’ Others were not as keen to wade into the debate, with duo Kristiane Thorsen and lead Sharon Barnes saying after their 2-0 defeat by Malaysia on Friday: ‘Politics and sport don’t mix, I’m sorry. If you want to talk about that you’ll need to talk to our managers.’ Early start over at the bowls as the Falkland Islands take on Malaysia in the women's pairs. Go Team Falklands! #Falklands #TeamFalklands #Glasgow2026 🇫🇰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿@Glasgow_2026 pic.twitter.com/f7a89H3q9L— FIG Representative to the UK and Europe (@FalklandsRepUK) July 24, 2026 But Mike Summers OBE, the Chairman of the National Sports Council in the Falkland Islands, was more outspoken, labelling the actions of Argentina’s footballers as ‘deeply unpleasant’. ‘When Messi and his team-mates were holding that banner, we thought, “What the hell are they doing? This is a football match”,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘We’ve seen that banner before, of course. Half of those guys play their football in the Premier League. They are paid very large salaries which are taxed at a high rate to pay for the UK defence! ‘We’re very disappointed with their antics and their dirty play. Their attitude was deeply unpleasant. The World Cup will never be as friendly as the Commonwealth Games but, by and large, teams manage to shake hands afterwards.  ‘Six of the English and French guys got in a huddle to pray together after the play-off; that’s a fabulous example of how to behave.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

NIK SIMON IN GLASGOW: The Ministry of Defence commission their only direct flight to the UK so they donned their Commonwealth Games uniform and began the 8,000-mile journey.