A UK government minister has called on FIFA to investigate an “entirely inappropriate” Falklands banner displayed by Argentina players after their semi final win against England.
On Wednesday night, Argentina staged a late comeback to dump England out of the World Cup, winning 2-1 against their great rivals.
During their celebrations on the pitch after the final whistle though, the team unfurled a banner proclaiming the British Falkland Islands are part of Argentina.
The banner read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.
Reacting on Thursday morning, business secretary Peter Kyle said the banner was “entirely inappropriate.”
He told Sky News: “I had left and gone to bed before the banner came on to the pitch, but I saw the images this morning, and of course it’s entirely inappropriate.
“Politics should stay away from football. That is a very clear principle of the World Cup. But any consequences that come from that is now a decision for FIFA.”
When asked if he though FIFA should investigate Argentina over the act, Kyle said: “Well, I certainly think that FIFA should be looking into this. Absolutely they should.”
The banner has sparked anger from many others, who have pointed to other examples of FIFA banning other gestures such as those in support of LGBTQ rights.
FIFA does have a precedent of taking action against Argentina for displaying messages about the Falkland Islands.
In 2014, the Argentina Football Association was fined £20,000 by FIFA after its players held up a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.