Some of the Argentina squad held up a banner that translated as The Falkland Islands are Argentine’ (Image: Getty)
Members of the Argentina squad revelled in breaking English hearts at the World Cup by holding up a banner about the Falkland Islands. Current and former Premier League stars were photographed holding up the banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates to ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’, after their late 2-1 comeback semi-final win over Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions in Atlanta.
The move prompted fury in the UK, with Downing Street backing calls for FIFA to investigate whether the Albiceleste players broke rules by displaying the message in support of Buenos Aires’ claim to the Falkland Islands. Around a quarter (six) of Argentina’s 25-man squad currently ply their trade in England. And seemingly, they are making a very healthy contribution to Britain’s defence of the Falklands through tax on their eyewatering wages.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero was among the Argentina players to hold up the banner (Image: Getty)
The Express estimates Premier League stars Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Senesi, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister are in total paying around £22.99 million to HMRC in income tax and employee National Insurance alone each year.
This figure is based on reported basic salaries for the upcoming season and rough calculations.
The total equates to about a third of Britain’s annual defence costs for the Falkland Islands — previously estimated to be northwards of £60 million.
Man United’s Lisandro Martínez (left) and former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso with the banner (Image: Getty)
Tottenham Hotspur captain Romero and his international centre-back partner, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, were among those pictured holding up the controversial banner after victory on Wednesday evening.
Speaking after displaying the banner, 28-year-old Martínez said: “I can picture a Malvinas veteran seeing that and weeping.
“I don’t know if there might be sanctions or not, but what they did was display that banner and assert that the islands belong to us.”
The Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic have been a British Overseas Territory since 1833 and islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain so in 2013.
Political tensions between Argentina and Britain over the Falklands have lingered for decades, after boiling over into a short but bloody war in 1982 following an invasion by Argentine forces.
The conflict lasted 74 days and claimed the lives of 907 people: 255 British military personnel, 649 Argentine military personnel and three Falkland Islanders.
Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the Falklands.
On Thursday morning, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are.
Argentina players celebrate their late semi-final comeback over England with the banner (Image: Getty)
“Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders.
“Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
The Falklands Islands government also voiced its “disappointment” over the banner incident but added it was “regrettably not surprised”.
Argentina players have also made reference to the Falklands in a chant after earlier victories in the knockout stage of World Cup.
“For the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last one,” the players sang, with “Diego” a reference to the legendary Maradona and “Leo” for current talisman Messi.
Argentina are expected to face disciplinary action over the banner, which is believed to have made its way to the players from fans near the pitch.
Article 34.3 of the tournament’s rules prohibits the display of any political messages or slogans by players before, during or after a match.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “As is standard procedure, FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Argentina were fined by FIFA after holding up a banner with the same slogan after a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.