The White House has defended the Argentinian football team’s right to free speech after they controversially waved a banner in support of their country’s territorial claim to the Falkland Islands while celebrating their World Cup win against England.
Argentina face potential disciplinary action from FIFA over the incident which could breach rules on political statements, according to BBC.
Asked whether players were in the wrong, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Fifa task force, said on Friday that the team had the opportunity and ability to “make those statements” in the US.
The comments could further fuel the row over the incident, which has seen Downing Street back calls for Fifa to investigate.
The Falklands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, remains the subject of a sovereignty dispute between the UK and Argentina.
However, immediately after the display after their 2-1 win over England, Business Secretary Peter Kyle told “BBC Breakfast” about Argentina players holding the banner “was entirely inappropriate” and “politics needs to be separate from football”, per ESPN.
Kyle added: “We expect FIFA to undertake an investigation into this.
“I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football.”
The prime minister’s spokesperson said, via Sky News: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falklands definitely are.
“Our position is unchanged, our commitment to the Falklands is unwavering.”
The spokesperson echoed Kyle’s sentiment that it is a matter for FIFA to look into, adding: “The Prime Minister wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain…”
Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch wrote on social media: “The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.
Spain players Rodri and Alvaro Morata were banned for one match each by UEFA, European football’s governing body, after singing about their country’s claim to Gibraltar after winning Euro 2024.
