Downing Street hits back after Falklands World Cup banner sparks row with Argentina
- Downing Street has backed calls for Fifa to investigate Argentine players who displayed a banner asserting their country’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
- The banner, which read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, was shown after Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England.
- A spokesperson for the prime minister reiterated that ‘The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are,’ emphasising islanders’ right to self-determination.
- Business secretary Peter Kyle described the players’ action as ‘entirely inappropriate’ and an ‘egregious violation’ of rules against political messaging in football.
- Fifa could take disciplinary action against the team for breaching regulations prohibiting political statements on the pitch.
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