FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) following the unveiling of a banner referencing the Falkland Islands after Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England. The banner was displayed by players during celebrations in the stadium, prompting the global football governing body to investigate potential breaches of its regulations.
The case, announced on [date not specified], also covers other incidents that occurred during the tournament, though FIFA did not provide details on additional allegations. The AFA now has a deadline to respond to the charges, which could result in fines or other sanctions if the AFA is found guilty.
The banner, which read "Las Malvinas son argentinas" (The Malvinas are Argentine), refers to the disputed islands known as the Falklands in the UK and the Malvinas in Argentina. The territory has been a source of tension between the two nations since the 1982 war.
FIFA's disciplinary code prohibits political or provocative messages at matches. The investigation comes after Argentina's dramatic penalty shootout win over England in the semi-final, a match that already carried historical weight due to the political backdrop.
Sky Sports and Sky News both reported the development, confirming that FIFA has opened proceedings but noting that the full scope of the investigation has not been disclosed. The AFA has not yet commented publicly.