The White House has defended the Argentine football team's right to free speech after they controversially waved a banner in support of their country's territorial claim to the Falkland Islands while celebrating their World Cup win against England. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Argentina face potential disciplinary action from FIFA over the incident which could breach rules on political statements.
Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA task force, said on Friday that the team had the opportunity and ability to "make those statements" in the US. Referring to free speech protections in the US Constitution, he said: "We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America."
The comments could further fuel the row over the incident. Downing Street backed calls for FIFA to investigate, with the prime minister's official spokesperson saying: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver."
The government of the Falkland Islands said it was "disappointed but not surprised" about the banner and hopes FIFA will "sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules". "We do not wish to see politics being brought into sport," a statement added.
In 2013, the people of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory. Of 1,517 votes cast, 1,513 were in favour, while just three votes were against.
Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel posted on X after Wednesday's victory that "it wasn't just another match". "The Falklands are Argentine," she added.
Argentina players also sang chants which referenced the Falklands following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16.
A brief but bitter war arose between Britain and Argentina over the territory in 1982. A British military task force ejected Argentine forces. The 74-day conflict led to the deaths of 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine soldiers.