Keir Starmer has voiced his backing for a Fifa investigation into the actions of Argentine players who displayed a banner asserting their claim to the Falkland Islands after defeating England in the World Cup semi-final, as confirmed by Downing Street.
Starmer, who was watching the match during a train journey to Ukraine for his final international trip as Prime Minister, endorsed a request from Business Secretary Peter Kyle for Fifa to examine potential breaches of regulations.
Following Argentina’s 2-1 victory in a tense match in Atlanta on Wednesday, several players were seen holding a banner that read: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” which translates to the Argentine name for the disputed islands.
Argentina is scheduled to face Spain in the final on Sunday. When questioned about Starmer’s preferred team, his spokesperson commented, “The PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain.”
Regarding the banner, Starmer’s spokesperson provided insights into his position.
“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.”
“an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football”
Earlier on Thursday, Kyle expressed to the BBC that the display of the banner constituted “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 added, “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.” Starmer’s spokesperson confirmed that he supported Kyle’s call for Fifa to investigate the incident.
When asked whether Thomas Tuchel should reconsider his position following England’s notable struggles during the match, the spokesperson indicated this was a matter for the England head coach to decide. “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 semi-final was expected to heighten tensions surrounding the Falklands. The 1982 war, which began after Argentina’s invasion of the islands, resulted in over 900 deaths.
Argentina has also raised concerns over HMS Medway, a Royal Navy vessel, which allegedly passed through its territorial waters without permission while traveling from the Falklands to Chile earlier this month.
Starmer’s spokesperson asserted the UK rejects this claim, 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.”
“The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law, and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was conducted via the most direct practicable route, taking into account operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”
The Falkland Islands government expressed disappointment over the situation, 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 traumatized. 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 behavior of this nature in line with its own rules.”
