[Saba Sports News] In the World Cup semi‑final, Argentina staged a 2‑1 comeback victory over England. After the final whistle, Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso walked over to the supporters’ stands holding a simple banner with the words “The Malvinas belong to Argentina”. Several players held up the banner and celebrated the win alongside Argentine fans in the stands.
British media analysed that per the rules set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), players are prohibited from displaying items containing political, religious or similar messages. Players and their teams will be penalized if they wear shirts or hold objects with such statements.
It is well‑known that Argentina and the United Kingdom have long‑standing sovereignty disputes over the Malvinas Islands (the Falkland Islands). In 1965, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2065, acknowledging the sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina. On 2 April 1982, the Falklands War broke out and Argentina was defeated. Argentina has never given up its claim to the islands, while Britain refuses to hold sovereignty‑related negotiations with Argentina.
In my view, FIFA must punish Argentina for this incident given existing precedents. After Spain lifted the Euro 2024 title, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante and Álvaro Morata received a one‑match ban from UEFA for chanting “Gibraltar belongs to Spain”.