ZURICH: World Cup runners-up Argentina have been fined 30,000 Swiss francs by FIFA and reprimanded because their players paraded a Falklands/Malvinas claim banner before a pre-finals friendly against Slovenia writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

FIFA and the law-making International Association Football Board have sought over the past two years to tighten the rules and reguations barring any sort of extraneous message – whether commercial, religious, personal or political – on or in or beneath players’ kit.

Uncertainty existed over the gesture by Argentina’s players because it was undertaken before the World Cup warm-up game in La Plata on June 7, albeit the players were in their match kit. The banner proclaimed: Las Malvinas son Argentinas.

The United Kingdom government insists that the Falklands were claimed for Britain before the Argentinian state existed and that the population wishes to remain British.

FIFA disciplinary committee opened disciplinary proceedings all the way back on June 14 for a breach of articles concerning ‘provocative and aggressive actions’ and ‘team misconduct’.

FIFA statement

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a fine of CHF 30,000 and issued a reprimand against the Argentinian Football Association following an incident that occurred at the friendly match between Argentina and Slovenia played on 7 June in La Plata, Argentina, when members of the Argentinian national team held up a banner stating „Las Malvinas son argentinas”.