Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final. However, a major controversy emerged following the game.
Several Argentina players displayed a fan-made banner which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, meaning “The Falkland Islands are Argentine”.
The incident sparked outrage in the United Kingdom, with calls for action against those involved in displaying the banner. Former Margaret Thatcher aide Nile Gardiner said:
“Every Argentine player in the English Premier League who took part in this ugly anti-British display should be stripped of their UK work visa. There should be zero tolerance for this.”
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero were among those pictured holding the banner.
However, immigration expert and Centuro Global co-founder Asma Bashir has now addressed whether their UK visas could actually be revoked. She said (via the Express):
“That power can take account of conduct outside the UK and does not require a criminal conviction.
“However, it is generally directed at serious conduct, such as extremism, threats to national security, serious criminality, incitement to violence or behaviour presenting a genuine threat to UK society.
“Any decision must be evidence-based, reasonable, proportionate and made separately for each individual.”
“It is highly unlikely that displaying the ‘Falkland Islands are Argentine’ banner would, by itself, justify cancelling a Premier League player’s visa.
“The statement is plainly provocative and politically sensitive, but it reflects Argentina’s established territorial position and does not, on its face, advocate violence, criminality or hatred.
“The law does not normally permit immigration powers to be used simply to punish a foreign national for expressing an unpopular or offensive political opinion.
“Cancellation on that basis alone would be vulnerable to challenge on proportionality and freedom-of-expression grounds.”
Meanwhile, FIFA is also facing growing pressure to take action following the controversial banner display.
Despite qualifying for the final after defeating England in the semi-final, Argentina were outplayed and dominated by Spain. As a result, they lost the final 1-0.
And their dream of becoming the first team to retain the World Cup after Brazil did in 1962 will remain a dream.
Now, the focus will be on club football once again with the season in the UK kicking off in the last week of August. So, there will be plenty more to come from this controversy.
Want to get the latest transfer news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
