British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed calls for FIFA to investigate Argentina's national football team after players displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semifinal victory against England.
Downing Street announced the Prime Minister's support on Thursday, endorsing the stance of Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who urged football's international governing body to launch a formal inquiry into the incident.
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The controversy arose when Argentinian players held up a sign reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" on the pitch after their 2-1 win in Atlanta, referring to the contested South Atlantic islands.
A Downing Street spokesperson addressed the geopolitical demonstration while discussing the upcoming tournament final between Argentina and Spain.
"The PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson reiterated the United Kingdom's long-standing position on the territory's sovereignty, emphasizing that the political demonstration on the pitch remained a matter for sporting authorities to resolve.
"I would just say, the World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our position is unchanged.
Self-determination rests with the islanders, and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver," the spokesperson said.
The UK government reiterated that political demonstrations should remain entirely separated from international sporting fixtures.
"More broadly, potential action is a matter for Fifa, but it's been a fantastic World Cup, and we've said throughout that politics should stay out of football," the spokesperson added.
