England fan fury at FIFA 'hypocrisy' after shipyard worker's submarine flag is banned from World Cup stadiums - while Argentina players dance with 'Falkland's are ours' banner

Published: 08:44, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 08:49, 16 July 2026 An England fan who was told his flag could not be displayed at the World Cup has lashed out at FIFA after goading Argentina players danced around a banner claiming the Falkland Islands 'belonged to them.' Lewis Watts, 31, was among a group of proud Three Lions supporters who were told they couldn't wave their local club's flag during England's opening game against Croatia last month.  The Barrow AFC supporters were told this was because the banner had a submarine on it.   Yet on Wednesday night, Argentina's players grabbed a flag from their supporters which contained a clear political message. Ahead of the game, FIFA and Argentina had agreed that no political slogans or statements would be allowed on banners at the Atlanta Stadium. Still, security checks clearly failed as one was seen being waved by jubilant Argentina supporters.  The flag read 'Las Malvinas son Argentina's', which means 'The Falklands are Argentine'.  The Falkland Islands are a hotly disputed British territory which was the subject of an eight-week war in 1982. Shipyard worker Mr Watts told the Daily Mail: 'It's just typical double standards from FIFA, complete hypocrites – and what will they do to Argentina? Slap them on the wrist and give them a fine; they should be kicked out. Lewis Watts, 31, was among a group of proud Three Lions supporters who were told they couldn't wave their local club's flag last month during England's opening game against Croatia Players of Argentina hold a banner after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. The banner refers to the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands, located off the coast of Argentina. Argentina disputes British sovereignty over the islands and refers to them as Las Malvinas 'FIFA told us we couldn't display our Barrow AFC flag because it had a submarine, and according to their rules, nothing of a military nature can be displayed in a flag or banner on the ground. 'They also say nothing of a political nature or anything that makes a statement, and if that banner at the end doesn't fit that criteria, then I don't know what does. They should be kicked out.' Mr Watts, who works in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyards, added: 'It was gutting enough to lose, but then when you see them goading and the unsporting behaviour, it really winds you up. He added: 'We had to carry gaffer tape around with us whenever we went to an England match to cover up the submarine, otherwise the flag would have been removed.' Mr Watts added: 'It feels extremely harsh that our flag was banned under FIFA's rules, and yet that one they danced around and which was clearly smuggled in despite the ban was not removed. 'I could understand if it was a gun or something similar, but it's a submarine, and Barrow has a long-standing tradition of submarine history – we were just underlining our heritage and how proud we are of where we are from.' Barrow in Furness has a submarine on their badge to highlight the port town on England's north-west coast tradition of shipbuilding. FIFA said they banned the banner because 'the item includes imagery of weapons or military (submarine). Argentina's supporters celebrate victory at the end of the 2026 World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina England fans react following the Three Lions' defeat at the World Cup semi-final match against Argentina  'These are not permitted under FIFA policy. We would be happy to approve, if you were willing and able to submit again with the imagery covered up.' The International Football Association Board and FIFA prohibit players and teams from displaying political messaging during games. FIFA's stadium code of conduct, in addressing prohibited messaging says: 'Any materials, including but not limited to banners, flags, fliers, apparel and other paraphernalia, that are of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature, containing wording, symbols or any other attributes aimed at discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group on account of race, skin colour, ethnicity, national or social origin, gender identity and expression, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, birth, wealth or any other status, sexual orientation or on any other grounds.' While the IFAB rulebook says, '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. 'For any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.' Lisandro Martinez and ​Giovani Lo Celso ​held up ⁠the banner, grinning, and waved to fans in the stands. It is not the first time ​the ⁠question of political banners has come up during the World Cup. FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after its players held up a banner with the same wording before a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.