Argentina could face FIFA sanctions after displaying a Falkland Islands banner following their World Cup semifinal win over England. Here’s why the celebration could breach FIFA’s political message rules.
Argentina defeated England in the FIFA World Cup semifinal and broke a FIFA rule that could invite heavy sanctions. Argentina celebrated the win over England by displaying the Falkland Island banner. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso held a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which means “The Malvinas are Argentine.” The banner was reportedly first displayed by Argentina fans in the stands before defender Nicolas Otamendi laid it out on the pitch.
Why Was The Falkland Island Banner Controversial?
For the unversed, Argentina and Britain fought a war for the Island. ‘Las Malvinas’ is a term that is used in Argentina for the Falkland Islands, a British territory that lies around 480 km off Argentina’s east coast. Argentina and the United Kingdom have disputed ownership of the islands for decades. Britain claimed the Island in 1774 and reasserted its rule in 1832. Argentina invaded the Island in 1982, but it ended in Argentina’s surrender. The conflict that lasted from April 2 to June 14 ended with the deaths of three civilians, 255 British and 649 Argentine troops.
Why Argentina Could Be Sanctioned?
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), football’s lawmakers, and FIFA have strict rules for displaying political flags, slogans and symbols. Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, they also banned the display of pre-revolutionary Iranian flags. If the Falkland Island banner is found political, Argentina could face sanctions from FIFA.
“Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo,” IFAB’s rulebook states.
“For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”