Argentina players caused controversy with their banner (Image: Getty)
The White House has claimed the Argentina players were exercising a first amendment right to freedom of expression when they protested about the Falklands. After overcoming England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, several players celebrated with a homemade flag which said “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine” in Spanish.
The UK government and Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey wrote to FIFA demanding the players who brandished the flag are banned from the World Cup final against Spain, claiming they violated FIFA’s strict rules against political messaging within grounds and stadiums. He cited the precedent set when Spanish duo Rodri and Alvaro Morata were banned for one match for singing ‘Gibraltar is Spain’ in 2024. However, the White House have chosen to support the Argentinian players who waved the banner.
According to Sky News, the White House would not support any Argentina players being banned from Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium. It claims officials from President Donald Trump’s team have rejected calls from the UK government to punish the players who paraded the banner.
In particular, Trumps’ World Cup chief Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, has insisted Argentina are only exercising their freedom of expression and pointed to the first amendment of the US constitution.
After the banner, which was chiefly paraded by Tottenham defender Cristian Romero and Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, was brought to Keir Starmer’s attention, a spokesperson for the outgoing prime minister said: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are.
Giuliani has backed the Argentina players (Image: Getty)
“Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver. More broadly, potential action is a matter for Fifa, but it’s been a fantastic World Cup and we’ve said throughout that politics should stay out of football.”
FIFA have a history of punishing Argentina for political statements regarding to the Falklands. In 2014, they fined the country’s football association £20,000 after their players held up a similar banner before a friendly against Slovenia.
FIFA have also confirmed they are considering disciplinary action against Argentina for the act, which took place immediately after the final whistle went.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “As is standard procedure, FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”