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Argentinian players were hit with a torrent of condemnation in a Falkland Islands banner row after their 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semi-final.
A Cabinet minister tore into Argentina’s players, accusing them of a lack of dignity for holding up a banner after the game in Atlanta, Georgia, that read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates to ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle also called for an inquiry by FIFA into the football stars’ behaviour.
Asked what he felt about the incident, Mr Kyle told Times Radio: “You can imagine what I felt.
“This is now a matter for FIFA, and I hope FIFA do a proper inquiry into it.”
Senior London MPs called for FIFA to ban the players involved in the political stunt from the World Cup final, to “throw the book” at them and for it to “mete out punishment”.
Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez was among players pictured holding the banner AFP via Getty ImagesMr Kyle explained that he is not a football fan.
“But boy, did I support this team, and boy, am I proud of this team,” he added.
“When it comes to the Argentinians, I think the dignity with which our team acted, I think, is the perfect contrast, and really shows really shows you know them for their own behaviour by contrast.
“When it comes to the rest of it, FIFA need to really take the action that deserves to happen.”
As the row grew, the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman said: “The World Cup might not be ours but the Falkland Islands definitely are.
“Our position is unchanged.
“Self-determination rests with the islanders.
“Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
Business and Trade Secretary Peter KylePA WireArgentina has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and was humiliatingly defeated in a short but bloody war after mounting an invasion in 1982.
The shadow of the conflict hangs over UK-Argentine relations to this day.
Responding to the “Malvinas’ banner protest at the World Cup match, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Whilst we are disgusted at the behaviour of some of the Argentinian players, the most important thing to do is build up the Royal Navy quickly.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, argued: “The players who actively held, posed with, and promoted this political banner must be issued an immediate one-match ban, disqualifying them from participating in the final."
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, told The Standard: "FIFA should at least fine the Argentine for breaking their rules.
“After all it is very inflammatory, we went to war with them over protecting the rights of the islanders.
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Some punishment should be meted out.”
Shadow sports minister Louie French, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, added: “The Falklands are British. That is not up for discussion.
“Last nights pathetic stunt by the Argentinian team was shameful and FIFA must the throw the book at them.”
Veteran political journalist Jon Craig suggested there could be calls from UK politicians for visa action against Argentinian players involved in the “Malvinas” protest.
A handful of the Argentinian team play in the Premier League including Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez, Tottenham's Cristian Romero, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa, with Enzo Fernández at Chelsea but possibly leaving.
Lisandro Martínez and former Spurs star Giovani Lo Celso held up the banner, grinning, and waved to fans in the stands.
“Every Argentine player in the English Premier League who took part in this ugly anti-British display should be stripped of their UK work visa,” said Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Centre for Freedom in Washington DC.
A banner is seen on the pitch following Argentina's 2-1 win during the semi-final match against EnglandGettyArgentina boss Lionel Scaloni had said before the game he did not want the fixture to become about the conflict over the British overseas territory.
However, Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel had described England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates” in the build-up to the fixture, and tweeted a victory message at full-time by saying, “it wasn’t just another match” alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers.
Earlier, Downing Street flatly rejected a claim by Argentine foreign minister Pablo Quirno that the Falkland islanders are an “artificially implanted” population.
The UK is “clear” that people on the archipelago are British and have the “right to determine their own future”, No10 said after the intervention from Mr Quirno ahead of England’s clash with Argentina on Wednesday.
In an essay for La Nacion newspaper, the foreign minister appeared to suggest that a referendum showing support for UK sovereignty was illegitimate because of a population that had been “artificially implanted by the occupying power”.
‘Y’ company of the 1st Battalion the Royal Hampshire Regiment ‘The Tigers’ surround Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse at Goose Green, East Falkland, after Argentinian forces were defeated in 1982PA MediaIn a 2013 vote the islanders overwhelmingly backed keeping their status as a British overseas territory, but the minister argued that no poll organised “unilaterally” by the UK can have “legal effect”, calling instead for negotiations on the Falklands’ future.
Asked about the intervention on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory, and their right to self-determination is paramount.”