FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina after they celebrated beating England in the World Cup semi-final with a banner discussing the Falklands Islands.
Several players, including Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, posed with the hand-written banner which read ‘Las Malvinas Son Argentinas’. Translated, it reads ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’.
Their actions were seen to be a contravention of rules against making demonstrations of a non-sporting nature at FIFA events.
The Falkland Islands are situated off the coast of Argentina but remain a British Overseas Territory.
The alleged offence is one of a raft being investigated. Also under consideration are allegations of discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators. The charges relate to a number of the team’s World Cup matches.
The governing body is also investigating the brawl that broke out in the immediate aftermath of Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the final.
Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina are being investigated for the alleged assault under FIFA’s disciplinary code of Spain’s Rodri and Eric Garcia following the 1-0 defeat in New Jersey, whilst assistant Roberto Ayala is also under investigation.
Winger Thiago Almada is also accused of unsporting behaviour alongside Molina and Spain’s Gavi.
The team were widely condemned for their conduct after the final whistle as Spain’s celebrations of a second World Cup victory were marred by violence, which saw Spanish players and staff punched and thrown to the ground.
