The Argentina national team defeated England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal match on 15/7 in Atlanta. During post-match celebrations, Argentina's players held up a banner given by fans in the stands, which read, "The Malvinas Islands are Argentina's."

Malvinas is the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands, a small territory in the South Atlantic under British administration and the heart of a sovereignty dispute between the two nations for decades.

This action could lead to disciplinary action from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), as it violates rules prohibiting political messages on the field.

British Trade Minister Peter Kyle stated on 16/7 that the Argentine players' conduct was "entirely inappropriate."

"One of the core principles of the World Cup is that politics must be separate from football. Now, that is a matter for FIFA. I expect FIFA to conduct a thorough investigation," Kyle told BBC.

Argentina player Giovani Lo Celso holds a banner reading "The Malvinas Islands are Argentina's" after the match on 15/7. *Photo: AP*

The Falkland Islands are located about 500 km off the coast of Argentina and over 13,000 km from Britain. The archipelago consists of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, along with 778 smaller islands, with a population of about 3,600 people, most of whom are of British descent.

The islands' economy primarily relies on revenue from fishing licenses, livestock farming, and tourism. The Falkland Islands are believed to possess offshore oil and gas potential and hold a strategic position on maritime routes towards the South Atlantic and Antarctica.

Britain claimed sovereignty over West Falkland Island in 1765. France and Spain also established settlements on the islands at different times.

Location of the Falkland Islands. *Graphic: BBC*

In 1833, Britain reasserted its control and has maintained administration of the islands since. Argentina, however, claims that after gaining independence from Spain in 1816, it inherited the right to administer the islands, accusing London of seizing control through an unlawful colonial act.

The dispute between the two sides over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands simmered for nearly 150 years before erupting into war in 4/1982. After 74 days of conflict, British forces re-established control of the Falkland Islands, and Argentina declared surrender in 6/1982.

The war resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland residents. Argentina lost the war but has never relinquished its claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

By Ngoc Anh (AP, AFP)