Argentina's President says diplomatic efforts bring Falklands claim closer after World Cup incident
President Javier Mileo said Argentina is advancing its diplomatic push to regain the Falkland Islands following a banner displayed by the national team after a World Cup win over England, prompting FIFA to review the incident.
Argentina's president, Javier Mileo, said his government is "getting closer every day" to recovering sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and surrounding waters. He made the comment on the social media platform X after Argentina's football team displayed a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" following a World Cup semifinal victory over England.
British officials criticised the display. Business Secretary Peter Kyle called it "entirely inappropriate" and asked FIFA to investigate, while a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the World Cup may not belong to Argentina, but the Falklands do.
FIFA announced that its independent disciplinary committee is reviewing match reports and the circumstances of the banner to decide whether formal proceedings are warranted. The Argentine football association was fined in 2014 for a similar slogan displayed before a friendly match.
Mileo defended the players, describing the banner as a legitimate expression of national sentiment and emphasizing that Argentina will pursue its claim through diplomatic channels. Earlier, Vice President Victoria Villarruel had referred to Britain as "usurping pirates" in the context of the dispute.