Brazen Argentina minister accuses Royal Navy of 'military incursion' after World Cup Falklands banner incident
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
The behaviour of Argentina players was described as being ‘entirely inappropriate’
Routine patrols of the Falkland Islands by the Royal Navy have been described as a ‘military incursion’ by an audacious Argentinian politician - in light of an ‘entirely inappropriate’ banner being unveiled after England’s World Cup defeat.
Buenos Aires foreign minister Pablo Quirno launched a scathing attack on British forces last night (July 15). This was In light of England crashing out of the World Cup semi final, falling to a late 2-1 defeat to Argentina.
After the final whistle, Lionel Scaloni’s players held up a banner to their fans which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”.
Political tensions linger between Argentina and Great Britain over the territory, which boiled over into a short but bloody war in 1982. This underlying friction has been heavily resurfaced due to the actions of right-wing populist president Javier Milei and his government. Mr Milei has repeatedly called for the sovereignty of the archipelago to be transferred at the behest of residents.
The Royal Navy routinely conducts exercises and diplomatic engagements around the Falkland Islands. HMS Medway, the Portsmouth-based offshore patrol vessel, is currently deployed there.
Mr Quirno and Argentina’s foreign ministry expressed their “strongest rejection” of the movements of HMS Medway and accused Britain of a “military incursion” into its waters. A formal note of protest was submitted to the British embassy earlier this week.
The statement said HMS Medway was “illegally stationed in the Falklands Islands” amid a “sovereignty dispute”. It added: “Rather than creating the conditions of trust and mutual understanding required for a mature bilateral relationship, Argentina states that these actions deepen tensions in the South Atlantic, disregard the repeatedly expressed will of the international community, and hinder Argentine efforts to achieve a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the dispute.
“The Argentine Republic once again reaffirms what it considers its legitimate and inalienable sovereign rights over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas.”
Downing Street said the UK notified Argentina’s government of HMS Medway’s movements following the accusations of journeying through waters without permission. A No 10 spokeswoman told reporters: “The facts here are that we notified the Argentinian government in advance of HMS Medway undertaking a routine logistics visit to Chile between 5 and 8 July to support British Antarctic survey operations, which will deliver essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica.
“The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law, and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practical route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”
Mr Scaloni had said before the World Cup match he did not want the fixture to become about the conflict over the territory. But the country’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel tweeted a victory message at full-time saying “it wasn’t just another match” alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers. In the build-up to the fixture, she had described England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates”.
Tensions boiled over in Albert Road, in Southsea, after the final whistle, with spectators being seen burning an Argentina shirt. Bollards in the road were thrown and kicked, and a Voi scooter was punted across the street.
Minister for business and trade, Peter Kyle, said the Argentina players behaviour after the match was “entirely inappropriate”. He urged governing body FIFA to “thoroughly” investigate what he described as an “egregious violation” of the rules regarding political messaging during football matches.
Downing Street backed Mr Kyle’s call for FIFA to investigate the incident. They said: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for Argentina’s players who celebrated with the Falklands banner to be suspended from the World Cup final.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on X: “The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.”