'It's a sad part of our history...and it hurts': Argentinian player defends Falkland Island's banner saying World Cup semi-final win against England 'wasn't just a football match'

Published: 18:15, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 18:27, 16 July 2026 Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has defended the players holding up a 'Malvinas' banner after England's semi-final defeat last night. The classless South American players were accused of 'warmongering' after carrying a banner claiming the Falkland Islands belonged to them. The 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' banner was held by several star players and captain Lionel Messi danced alongside it - despite FIFA's ban on political symbols. Sir Keir Starmer joined calls for a probe into the banner, accusing players of politicising the match. However, Paredes doubled down on the players' antics, saying the game against England 'wasn't just a football match'. He said the players had been spurred on by memories of the war. He told Sky News: 'Sadly, it is a sad part of our history, for everyone involved in that chapter of our history. And it hurts. We knew we were playing for them too. For all the people, for our entire nation. I believe we did it in the best possible way. 'We always wanted to convey that for us, it wasn't just a football match. We were aware that it wasn't just that. It was very important for our entire country. And I think we feel immense joy.' Throughout the tournament, players have joined in on the popular Argentinian chant: 'For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]'s last one', after they beat Switzerland to set up their semi-final against England. Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso, who have played for clubs in the Premier League, celebrate with a banner claiming the Falkland Islands  Giovani Lo Celso lays the banner on the pitch after Argentina's victory, right below the TV spider cam As the flag was raised, the team went wild, waving shirts over their heads Britain has had sovereignty for almost 200 years having first landed on the uninhabited islands in 1690. In 2013, 99.8 per cent of residents voted to remain a British Overseas Territory.  The banner sparked calls for the players to receive one-match bans, similar to those UEFA handed out to Spain players who chanted 'Gibraltar is Spanish' after beating England at the 2024 Euros final. The animosity dates back principally to a ten-week war in 1982, when an Argentinian invasion of the Falklands was seen off by the British – at the cost of 907 lives. It spilled over into football four years later when Maradona scored his infamous 'hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final clash. He used his fist to put the opening goal past England, allowing Argentina to win 2-1 and go on to claim the World Cup trophy. England went on to suffer more heartbreak against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, when Sir David Beckham was infamously red-carded in a penalty shoot-out defeat. Four years later, Sir David got his revenge, scoring the only goal from the penalty spot as Argentina crashed out of the tournament in the group stage. Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and ex-Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso celebrated with the controversial banner after the final whistle. Martinez said the banner 'stirred up deep emotions' within the squad, adding: 'I can picture a Malvinas veteran seeing that and weeping. 'I don't know if there might be sanctions or not, but what they did was display that banner and assert that the islands belong to us.'  Business Secretary Peter Kyle said today it was 'entirely inappropriate' to wave the banner, praising England for acting with dignity in 'real contrast with what we saw with the Argentina team'. The No10 spokesman said any potential action is a 'matter for Fifa', but asked whether the PM agrees with his Cabinet minister that there should be an investigation, they replied: 'I would echo that position.' Shocking footage taken from the stands showed the Argentinian team holding their fingers to their lips before raising the Falklands banner aloft. Lo Celso later carefully laid the banner on the pitch as the team taunted the English fans. Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: 'One thing needs to be made very clear this morning. The Falklands have never belonged to Argentina. And never will.' There are growing calls for the players who carried the banner at a match of such magnitude - watched by an estimated 950 million people worldwide - to face tougher sanctions. However, the players are now attempting to wriggle out of sanctions by putting the blame on their own fans. When questioned about the banner, defender Gonzalo Montiel said: 'They just threw one down from the stands and the boys grabbed it.' Argentinian journalist Nelson Castro added: 'Someone threw it onto the field and they gave it to the players'. The country's firebrand president Javier Milei added: 'It is perfectly valid and legitimate for the players to want to express themselves and do so.' Meanwhile tempers flared on the pitch after the match as Valentin Barco was on the receiving end of a slap from Jude Bellingham. Jude Bellingham clashed with Argentina substitute Valentina Barco after the semi-final He was also at loggerheads with defender Nicolas Otamendi as other players tried to stop them The substitute had goaded England's stars throughout their fiercely-contested World Cup semi-final clash. Valentin Barco, an unused substitute during Argentina's dramatic 2-1 victory, was seen sprinting on to the field of play and taunting the Three Lions after Enzo Fernandez drew the reigning champions level in Atlanta. Footage showed John Stones pushing Barco away in apparent frustration as England's players waited for the lengthy celebrations to subside. It has been reported that the Chelsea-bound star had been winding up the England bench for the entirety of the 90 minutes. And the ill-feeling resurfaced at full-time. In the moments before the confrontation, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was seen appearing to goad Bellingham after the final whistle. Then, the England midfielder appeared to slap the back of Barco's head after the Argentinian appeared to aim a comment in his direction. Barco went to hug a team-mate when he turned and appeared to say something, although it was unclear who his comment was directed towards or what was said. Moments later, Bellingham seemed to lose his composure, with the exchange culminating in him aiming a slap at the back of Barco's head. The full-back then turned around and pushed Bellingham with tempers flaring. Nicolas Otamendi also came over and gave the England man a shove. Several Argentinian players attempted to act as peacemakers, but it looked as if Bellingham and Otamendi wanted more head-to-head action - even when they were separated. Later, once Bellingham's tempers had cooled, he was seen being comforted by family and friends.