Argentina players display Falklands banner at World Cup semifinal after fan smuggles it into stadium
An Argentine supporter concealed a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in his clothing to bypass security, and the team unfurled it during the semifinal match against England.
During the World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England, Argentine players unveiled a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine). The banner, described as a hotel bedsheet painted with black ink, was reportedly brought into Mercedes-Benz Stadium by a fan named Santiago, who said he folded it and concealed it in his underwear to evade security checks, according to an interview with Argentina's Todo Noticias.
The incident revived the long-standing dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the South Atlantic islands, which escalated into a brief war in 1982. In the United Kingdom, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for disciplinary action against the players, urging that they be barred from the upcoming final against Spain.
The display occurred without incident during the match, and no further security breaches were reported.