The World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and England had storylines extending beyond Atlanta, all the way to the Falkland Islands.
Yes, the two countries still have beef over a war from 44 years ago, especially since ownership of the islands remains disputed.
After Argentina made yet another late comeback to secure a spot in the championship game, players produced a banner that said, “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas.” Which means “The Falklands are Argentine.”
Via the BBC, the Argentina team faces possible disciplinary action for the display. Which sparked an international incident superseding the Flo Balogun red-card ruckus.
“The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are,” the office of the UK prime minister said. “Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
Argentina vice president Victoria Villarruel got involved, too. “The Falklands are Argentine,” she said. “They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts.”
The British are calling for an investigation of the banner.
Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle said Argentina’s banner was “entirely inappropriate.”
“I think [an investigation] is certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football,” Kyle told BBC Breakfast.
And since the Balogun brouhaha made me far more aware of the FIFA Disciplinary Code than I ever thought I’d be, Article 17, Section 2(e) states that “the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit a message that is not appropriate for a sports event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature.”
So, yes, it appears that Argentina may be getting a strongly-worded letter, along with perhaps a requirement to make a contribution to something like the FIFA Peace Prize Fund.
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