FIFA action likely against Argentina; Scaloni breaks silence on issue

ATLANTA: The Argentina camp is in high spirits after defeating England in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night. However, FIFA may investigate the team after the British government demanded action after the Argentinian team raised a banner related to the Falkland Islands after the match.

The British government demanded an investigation into the photo taken with the banner that read 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas', which means 'The Malvinas belong to the Argentines'. The lyrics refer to Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands. FIFA is preparing to take action after this became controversial. Following this, the British government intervened in the matter.

Argentina calls the Falkland Islands 'Islas Malvinas'. The islands were invaded in 1982 by order of the then-military government in Argentina, leading to a ten-week war. Britain won the war. In 2014, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 for flying a similar banner.

After the incident became controversial, Argentina's vice president came forward with a response to the issue. Coach Lionel Scaloni shared the opinion that football and politics should not be mixed. The Falkland Islands are an island group in the South Atlantic. This island group, which has a population of about 3,500, is currently under British control.