Keir Starmer has expressed his backing for a Fifa inquiry into Argentine players who displayed a banner asserting their claim to the Falkland Islands after their semi-final win against England, as reported by Downing Street.
While traveling to Ukraine for his final overseas visit as Prime Minister, Starmer supported Business Secretary Peter Kyle’s call for Fifa to investigate possible violations of regulations.
Following Argentina’s 2-1 victory in a tension-filled match, several players raised a banner that read: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” using Argentina’s terminology for the disputed territory.
Argentina is scheduled to face Spain in the final on Sunday. When inquired about Starmer’s preferred team, a spokesperson responded.
“The PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain.”
“The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. 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.”
Earlier on Thursday, Kyle told the BBC that the banner constituted “an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football”
“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.”
Starmer’s spokesperson confirmed his support for Kyle’s request for an inquiry.
When asked if Thomas Tuchel should reconsider his position following England’s lackluster performance, the spokesperson indicated that this is a decision for the England head coach. “Thomas Tuchel and his team have taken us deep into the tournament this World Cup, giving us thrilling matches against teams like Mexico and Norway that people in England will never forget, and he thinks that the team have represented England wonderfully, both on and off the pitch.”
The semi-final was anticipated as a possible flashpoint for tensions surrounding the Falklands. The 1982 conflict, sparked by Argentina’s invasion of the islands, resulted in over 900 casualties.
Argentina has expressed concerns over HMS Medway, a Royal Navy vessel, reportedly passing through its national waters without consent while traveling from the Falklands to Chile earlier this month.
“We notified the Argentinian government in advance of HMS Medway undertaking a routine logistics visit to Chile between the 5 and 8 July to support British Antarctic Survey operations, which will deliver essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica. “The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practicable practical route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”
The Falkland Islands government expressed disappointment, stating.
“The Falklands government is disappointed – though regrettably not surprised – that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last night’s World Cup football semi-final – a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands. “That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982, which left many traumatised. The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands … We hope Fifa will make good on their promise to keep politics out of sport, and sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules.”
