The White House has backed the actions of the Argentina players after they showed support for their country’s claim over the Falkland Islands during post-match celebrations.
The group unfurled a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) on Wednesday after they beat England in their FIFA World Cup semi-final to reach the showpiece final.
This has led to appeals to the world governing body FIFA to investigate if they contravened the rules that prohibit political slogans and banners during matches.
Andrew Giuliani, chief of the White House FIFA Task Force, said on Friday the players were justified in saying what they wanted, when they wanted, on US soil, protected by free speech under the American Constitution.
“We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America,” he told reporters at a White House briefing.
London reacted to the incident, with a Downing Street spokesman confirming support for FIFA’s involvement, reiterating the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over the disputed islands.
The Falkland Islands Government had also asked FIFA to take action on the display.
“Politics has no place in sport,” said their statement.
Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel backed up her compatriots with her own Twitter message saying: “Las Malvinas son argentinas”.
FIFA has not responded to the developing controversy.
