FIFA 'assessing reports' over disciplinary action for Falklands banner

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Argentina players hold up a banner with the words 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' which translates to 'The Malvinas are Argentine' following victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final soccer match between England and Argentina, at Atlanta Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa

Argentina could face disciplinary action over their players holding up a banner about the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semi-final win over England.

FIFA has said their disciplinary committee are currently "assessing the match reports" before deciding whether to "take steps" over the incident.

Following their late comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday night, members of the Argentina squad celebrated with a banner that read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," which translates as "The Falkland Islands are Argentinian."

On Thursday, Downing Street backed calls from other politicians and pundits for a Fifa probe into the behaviour of the defending World Cup champions.

Former England international Peter Reid described the Argentina banner display as "beyond the pale."

A FIFA spokesperson had said: "As is standard procedure, FIFA's independent disciplinary committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA disciplinary code."

The Falkland Islands are a UK overseas territory, with islanders voting overwhelmingly to remain so in 2013.

In April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the islands but were forced to surrender by June of the same year.

Argentina were fined by Fifa for holding up a banner with the same slogan after a friendly against Slovenia in 2024, while Spain players Rodri and Alvaro Morata were banned for one match each by European football's governing body Uefa after singing about their country's claim to Gibraltar after winning Euro 2024.

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