Argentina fans have said Falkland Islands flags will be banned as the vice-president called England ‘eating pirates’ ahead of their World Cup semi-final.
Argentina fans have been warned they will be barred from entering the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for tonight’s World Cup semi-final against England if they attempt to smuggle flags bearing any reference to the Falkland Islands.
The outline of the British-administered territory is a permanent installation in the blue and white flag where Argentina insists that the group of islands in the South Atlantic is theirs.
The countries fought in the Falklands in 1982, more than 900 people were killed in the conflict, and they remain in Britain, although it is still a major bone of contention.
Argentina fans continue to sing songs about the Falklands – which they call Las Malvinas – as they did with the players following the victory over Switzerland in the final on Saturday.
However, FIFA’s insistence on not allowing political slogans to enter stadiums across the US, Canada and Mexico this summer means there will be strict restrictions in Atlanta tonight.
“No one will be allowed to enter with flags or political messages related to the Falklands,” said Argentina’s security minister Alejandra Monteoliva. “A flag, t-shirt, cloth, anything with a message that has political issues or racial unrest.”
Scaloni plays down the animosity as the VP goes on in a strange way ahead of the England game
The manager of Argentina, Lionel Scaloni, tried to ease the tense situation at the press conference yesterday, insisting: “The truth is that this football game I will not be able to put things together, especially because of the respect that happened many years ago.
“It was the saddest time in our history, and there’s not much we can do about it, the truth is.”
Argentina’s vice-president, Victoria Villaruel, did not follow Scloni’s lead, however, with a highly controversial tweet that read: “Tomorrow we play with pirates. This is not another game. I will not be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the British, it is always something else. It is the Malvinas, the Diegonas of Malvina. [Maradona]Leo’s [Messi] last but not least, go to Argentina! Because until our last breath, we will claim what is ours!”
Atlanta police began a major operation to eliminate any threat of trouble between the supporters groups and no incidents were reported in the city on Tuesday.
More than 1,600 police officers are on the streets although there are concerns that the toys will be inside the stadium without discrimination.
England and Argentina also share a long and controversial sporting rivalry.
In 1966, Argentina captain Antonio Rattin refused to leave the field after picking up two yellow cards in three minutes of the first half against England at Wembley, meaning the game was held up for eight minutes. Afterwards, Three Lions manager Alf Ramsey described the Argentine side as “animals”.
In 1986, the infamous ‘Hand of God’ allowed eventual winners Argentina to advance to England and into the semi-finals of the World Cup. The goal itself was a handball by Maradona, the former Napoli and Barcelona star who flicked the ball into the net. Maradona then added a brilliant second, picking up the ball on the halfway line and dribbled past England’s defense before rounding goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Then in 1998, the World Cup meeting in St Etienne was tied 2-2 when David Beckham beat Diego Simeone. The Argentine midfielder went down clutching his leg and Beckham was sent off by referee Kim Milton Nielsen. Argentina went on to win on penalties and Simeone later admitted “the referee fell into a trap”.
