​Will FIFA punish Argentina for controversial Falkland Islands flag after defeating England? originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.While any success Argentina has at a World Cup will be attributed to controversy by some soccer fans, the most controversial moment from Wednesday’s semifinal match against England came after the final whistle had blown.The team was celebrating on the pitch after their nail-biting 2-1 comeback against the Three Lions, a matchup with some political adversities from the Falklands War of 1982. While many Argentine players embraced and danced in jubilation, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso reportedly brought a banner over from La Albiceleste’s fans with writing that said “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which translates to “The Malvines (Falkland Islands) are Argentine.”The set of islands that is called the “Falkland Islands” in English is referred to as “Las Malvinas” in Argentina, due to a long-standing political disagreement that came to a head in 1982. FIFA does have an anti-political statements rule, and they will have to make a decision on whether or not Argentina will be punished for having the banner on the field.Here’s the latest on whether or not Argentina will see repercussions for their banner.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Updated World Cup bracketWill FIFA punish Argentina for Falkland Islands flag?The International Football Association Board (IFAB), a board that is in charge of creating and ensuring soccer’s rules are followed, and FIFA both have a clear stance on political flags, slogans, and symbols being displayed on the pitch.“Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo,” Section 5 of the IFAB’s Law 4 says.“For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”In this case, because the banner was held at a World Cup match, FIFA will decide if Argentina’s team will be subject to repercussions. There is no required timeframe for FIFA to reveal its decision.FIFA has yet to comment on Argentina’s banner.MORE ARGENTINA-ENGLAND NEWS: Lionel Messi, Argentina add to World Cup comeback historyHow Thomas Tuchel’s cowardly tactics cost EnglandWhere Argentina loss ranks among England’s World Cup disappointmentsWill England fire Thomas Tuchel after blowing semifinal?Las Malvinas bannerAfter the semifinal win, the Argentinian team was seen holding a banner with the writing “Las Malvinas son Argentinas.” In English, this message translates to “The Malvinas are Argentine.”Here are a couple of looks at the banner:”The Malvinas are Argentine”Argentina players celebrated with a Falkland Islands banner following th