Will FIFA punish Argentina for controversial Falkland Islands flag after defeating England?

While any success Argentina has at a World Cup will be attributed to controversy by some soccer fans, the most controversial moment from Wednesday's semifinal match against England came after the final whistle had blown.

The team was celebrating on the pitch after their nail-biting 2-1 comeback against the Three Lions, a matchup with some political adversities from the Falklands War of 1982. While many Argentine players embraced and danced in jubilation, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso reportedly brought a banner over from La Albiceleste's fans with writing that said "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," which translates to "The Malvines (Falkland Islands) are Argentine."

The set of islands that is called the "Falkland Islands" in English is referred to as "Las Malvinas" in Argentina, due to a long-standing political disagreement that came to a head in 1982. FIFA does have an anti-political statements rule, and they will have to make a decision on whether or not Argentina will be punished for having the banner on the field.

Here's the latest on whether or not Argentina will see repercussions for their banner.

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Will FIFA punish Argentina for Falkland Islands flag?

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), a board that is in charge of creating and ensuring soccer's rules are followed, and FIFA both have a clear stance on political flags, slogans, and symbols being displayed on the pitch.

“Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo,” Section 5 of the IFAB's Law 4 says.

“For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”

In this case, because the banner was held at a World Cup match, FIFA will decide if Argentina's team will be subject to repercussions. There is no required timeframe for FIFA to reveal its decision.

FIFA has yet to comment on Argentina's banner.

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Las Malvinas banner

After the semifinal win, the Argentinian team was seen holding a banner with the writing "Las Malvinas son Argentinas." In English, this message translates to "The Malvinas are Argentine."

Here are a couple of looks at the banner:

🇦🇷 | Argentina players after the game with banner stating: “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” 👀😅#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/yCMGvuXmlK

Las Malvinas meaning in English

In English, "Las Malvinas" translates to "The Malvinas," which is what the country of Argentina calls the Falkland Islands. 

The two separate names refer to the same group of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, though the name used often depends on political viewpoints. England, which currently governs the islands as an overseas territory, calls them the Falkland Islands, while Argentina uses the term Islas Malvinas to support its official claim of ownership over the territory.

Falklands Island Argentina-England controversy

In 1982, England and Argentina fought for control over the Falkland Islands, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The brief war was named "The Falklands War."

The islands, which sit around 300 miles away from South America, were first in Argentine custody in the early 19th century before England took control in 1833. The rule stayed that way until 1982, when Lieut. Gen. Leopoldo Galtieri led an Argentinian military junta to seize control. 

The two countries fought in the undeclared war for 74 days after Argentina surrendered on June 14. The British were able to set up a blockade around Stanley, the Falkland Islands' capital, which also served as the main port, that prohibited supplies from reaching the Argentinians. Control was given back to the British after the war.

At the end of the conflict, Argentina lost around 650 lives while England had 255 casualties, per Britannica.

Here is a quick history of the Falklands War: