Argentinian players have sparked outrage after waving the banner after the World Cup game
Sir Keir Starmer has backed calls for Fifa to investigate whether Argentina players broke rules by waving a Falkland Islands banner. Members of the team celebrated their World Cup semi-final win over England last night by holding a banner which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”.
Downing Street has backed a minister’s call for Fifa to investigate whether they breached rules banning the display of any political messages. A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
They said any potential action is a “matter for Fifa”, but asked whether the Prime Minister agrees with his Cabinet minister that there should be an investigation, they replied: “I would echo that position.”
She added: “Self-determination rests with the islanders. The islands remain British and our commitment to them will never waver.”
It comes after Cabinet minister Peter Kyle urged governing body Fifa to investigate the incident.
The Business Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “My reaction is that it was entirely inappropriate.
“Politics needs to be separate from football.
“In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football.
“That is now a matter for Fifa. I expect Fifa to do its investigation thoroughly.”
He continued: “We expect Fifa to undertake an investigation into this.
“I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football.”
Jubilant Argentina fans brandished the banner referring to the dispute over the British overseas territory which made its way to the players who held it up.
Tory Shadow Sports Minister Louie French said: “The Falklands are British. That is not up for discussion.
“Last night’s pathetic stunt by the Argentinian team was shameful and FIFA must throw the book at them.
“The Conservatives will always stand up for the people of the Falkland Islands and defend their right for self-determination.”