In a wild twist to the World Cup fallout, the Liberal Democrats have dragged Donald Trump’s name into a furious row with FIFA after Argentina’s Falklands banner.
Following their 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England in Atlanta, Argentine players sparked major controversy by unfurling a banner declaring “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentine).
The political display directly violates FIFA’s strict stadium guidelines, which has seen calls for all kinds of punishments from fans and pundits alike.
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In August 2024, UEFA handed Spanish stars Rodri and Alvaro Morata a one-match ban for chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their Euro victory celebrations.
It’s now over to FIFA to make their decision, and there’s some added pressure coming from the Liberal Democrats after England’s exit from the 2026 World Cup.
Liberal Democrats call for action against Argentina players
The Lib Dems have written to FIFA asking them to suspend the Argentine players who held up a “Falklands are Argentine” banner against England.
Party leader Sir Ed Davey argues the political display insults British veterans and directly violates FIFA’s stadium neutrality codes, as we have mentioned.
Citing UEFA’s 2024 suspension of Spanish players Rodri and Morata over similar Gibraltar chants as precedent, Davey insists the offenders must miss Sunday’s World Cup Final.
Crucially, he urges FIFA to prove its commitment to peace, especially after recently awarding Donald Trump the first FIFA Peace Prize, by taking decisive action.
And we’ve already seen Trump’s influence on FIFA at the 2026 World Cup, having called on Gianni Infantino to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card for the USMNT.
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