What FIFA said about the 'controversial' banner scandal involving Argentine footballers

FIFA rules prohibit the display of political, ideological, religious or provocative messages on the field. However, Argentina's footballers have sparked controversy by breaking that policy and displaying banners with political messages after their victory over England. FIFA has announced that it will launch an investigation into the matter. However, the footballers have the support of their own country's President Javier Miel in the incident.

The then Argentine military junta government launched an attack on the Falkland Islands in 1982 over the occupation and ownership of the islands. The United Kingdom also became fully involved. More than 950 people on both sides lost their lives in the 74-day war. Britain eventually won the bloody war. However, the issue returned in the semi-final match between Argentina and England. Lisandro-Celso-Romero celebrated with a banner reading 'Malvinas Argentinas' thrown by the spectators.

Argentina calls the islands Islas Malvinas, but they are known to the UK and the rest of the world as the Falklands. England called on FIFA to take action against Argentina after the footballers displayed the banner. FIFA then issued a statement saying, "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the circumstances before taking any further action under the FIFA Disciplinary Code."

According to the rules of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the law-making body of football, 'players may not display any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images on the field.' That is why FIFA banned the Falkland flag on the field before the match. However, a section of the audience took a similar banner to the gallery, which was thrown at the Argentine footballers after the game.

In the video, Giovani Lo Celso runs among his teammates with the banner. Lisandro Martinez continues to celebrate on the other side. Later, Cristian Romero joins them. As a result, the defending champion Argentine footballers are at risk of punishment. According to IFAB rules, displaying any political slogans or statements on the field can be fined by FIFA from $ 5,000 to $ 20,000. In addition, if certain players are involved, they can also be banned.

On the other hand, Argentine President Javier Miel has described the footballers' banner incident as "completely legitimate". In a message, he said that their celebration represented all Argentine sentiments. However, at the same time, Miel also reminded that FIFA could impose a fine as punishment. He said on a radio station in Buenos Aires, "It is not difficult to understand what the footballers did. They did it out of their passion, their inclinations. But they could be fined for it."