Argentina fined by Fifa for Falkland Islands banner
By Miles Chambers
Jul 25, 2014 17:39:00
The nation's FA has been sanctioned by the world football governing body for politicising their team ahead of the World Cup in controversial fashion
Argentina's football association has been fined €24,700 for holding up a politically charged banner demanding the return of Falkland Islands to them before in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Britain has ruled the archipelago since 1833 but Argentina has always stressed its claim to what they call the Malvinas and invaded them in 1982 before surrendering, but the issue is once again a political hot topic in the South American nation.
Ahead of kick-off in June 7's clash with Slovenia, Alejandro Sabella's men posed on the pitch for cameras with a banner reading 'las Malvinas son Argentinas' which translates as 'the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina'.
Fifa was far from impressed with the politicising of the eventual World Cup 2014 finalists, who lost 1-0 to Germany on July 13 after extra-time, and has sanctioned the county's FA for orchestrating the stunt.
"The Fifa Disciplinary Committee has imposed a fine of €24,700 and issued a reprimand against the Argentina football association following an incident that occurred at the friendly match between Argentina and Slovenia played on 7 June in La Plata, Argentina, when members of the Argentinian national team held up a banner stating 'las Malvinas son Argentinas'," a statement on the world football governing body's website read.
"The Argentine FA was deemed to be in breach of art. 60 of the Fifa Stadium Safety and Security Regulations ('Political action') and art. 52 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code ('Team misconduct').
"The terms of the decision were notified to the Argentinian FA today."
