White House defends Argentina team over Falklands banner
A White House spokesperson commented on the Falklands/Malvinas banner displayed by Argentine players after the World Cup semi-final. The remarks could further fuel the row, which has already seen Downing Street back calls for FIFA to investigate.
A Falklands/Malvinas banner displayed by Argentine players after their World Cup semi-final win over England has escalated into a diplomatic dispute reaching well beyond the pitch. Asked about the incident, a White House spokesperson took a stance defending the Argentine team.
The UK government had earlier said it backed calls for FIFA to investigate the banner. Argentina's government maintains it was simply reasserting its long-standing position on the islands' sovereignty, not seeking confrontation.
The episode has reopened sensitivities rooted in the 1982 Falklands War and is emerging as a fresh point of friction in relations between the two countries.
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