'We have fought for this territory before. We'll do it again if necessary', warns Kemi - as Argentina's World Cup stunt row grows

By ANDREW JEHRING, CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT and NICK PISA, SENIOR REPORTER Published: 00:05, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 00:06, 17 July 2026 Keir Starmer joined veterans and Falklanders in demanding Fifa investigate Argentina for waving a banner claiming the UK territory as their own. Yesterday a No 10 spokesman hit back at the stunt by saying: 'The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are.' After beating England 2-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday, Argentina players raised a white sheet with the words 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' or 'The Falklands are Argentina's'. It sparked calls for a fine and players to be banned from the final. Cristian Romero, of Tottenham, Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United and Giovani Lo Celso, formerly of Tottenham, were among those who raised the banner. Lionel Messi was near the group. Meanwhile, veterans suggested the players speak to victims of the murderous Argentinian regime that launched the failed invasion in 1982 where 907 lives were lost. With Argentina now through to play Spain in the final on Sunday, No10 took a further swipe by adding: 'The PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain.' The official stressed that a 'central tenet' of the World Cup is that 'politics is separate from football' and called on Fifa to 'do its investigation thoroughly'. No 10 also echoed Business Secretary Peter Kyle's words that this was an 'egregious violation of the rules'. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'The Falkland Islands are British. They will always be British. The Conservatives fought for them before; we will do so again if necessary.' Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has joined the loud chorus of politicians criticising the Argentinian team for waving a banner reading:  'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' or 'The Falklands are Argentina's' Argentina players hold a banner reading 'The Falklands are Argentinian' as they celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between England and Argentina Tory Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, and Falklands veteran Simon Weston urged Fifa to consider banning the players. They cited the case of two Spanish players banned from a 2024 Euros game after chanting 'Gibraltar is Spanish' in victory celebrations. Argentina carried the same banner at an international friendly 12 years ago and was fined. Mr Weston, who suffered severe facial burns liberating the Falklands, told the Mail: 'The last time they got fined was £20,000 by Fifa, but Lionel Messi could spend that on breakfast. They banned Spanish players after they sang things about Gibraltar. Well, Argentina have sung songs that have been filmed and broadcast. We have to be protective of the islanders.' Mr Griffith said: 'The Argentinian players' display was disgusting and an insult to the Falkland Islanders. Why shouldn't Fifa ban the Argie players from the final?' Mr Davey said: 'Argentine players who celebrated with the banner must be barred from the final.' Players are set to face disciplinary action for violating Article 34.3 of tournament rules prohibiting the display of any political messages or slogans by players before, during or after a match. Last night, PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham was silent on the issue, despite being asked for his thoughts by the Daily Mail. The top penalty is disqualification from the tournament or a suspension, though it is believed they will receive only a fine. Unbelievably, Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel shamelessly shared footage of soldiers invading the Falklands after her country's victory and wrote: 'The Falklands are Argentine.' Lib Dem leader Ed Davey  urged Fifa to consider banning the players for the stunt  Last night, PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham was silent on the issue, despite being asked for his thoughts by the Daily Mail SAS hero Robin Horsdall, 70, who served in the Falklands, suggested the Argentinian team read up on their own history and the crimes of dictator Leopoldo Galtieri, who launched the invasion. He said: 'They rant and rave about the Malvinas every single time their economy fails, which is just about every year. It's just nonsense and redirection. These players should talk to the Argentinian soldiers forced to go there by a Right-wing military junta. 'They should talk to them about the thousands of people murdered and 'disappeared' by Galtieri's government - and the fact that the result of the war ended up giving Argentina a democracy for the first time in a generation. 'We didn't only free the Falkland Islanders, we freed Argentina.' Argentina only ever had 100 people on the Falklands for five years from 1826 despite claiming the territory as an 'inheritance' from the Spanish empire in 1820. England was the first country to land on the territory in 1690, settling it in 1765 and - after brief rival settlements under Spain and France - has exercised control since 1833. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8 per cent of islanders voted to stay a British Overseas Territory. The Falkland Islands government said: 'The banner was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands.' Fifa said its disciplinary committee was 'assessing match reports', and would consider relevant circumstances 'before deciding on any potential further steps'.