A post-match chant about the British territory has been defended by one of Lionel Messi’s team-mates
Argentina star Rodrigo De Paul defended their Falklands chants but called for the focus to be on the football ahead of their World Cup semi-final against England. The nations meet at the tournament for the first time since 2002 in Atlanta on Wednesday for the right to meet France or Spain in Sunday’s final.
It is one of the most politically charged matches in international football, 44 years on from the Falklands War, when Argentina’s invasion of the South Atlantic islands was thwarted by British forces after a 74-day conflict. Argentina continue to lay claim to the islands and their players were filmed singing about the British territory following the knockout rounds victories over Egypt and Switzerland.
After the former, the defending champions were caught singing ‘Muchachos,’ a reference to the islands. Despite appearing to breach FIFA’s regulations on political expression within stadiums, the Argentine federation escaped punishment.
De Paul, who is also a team-mate of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, said the team sang about the Falklands to honour Argentina’s “heroes” lost during the war, which he called an “atrocity.”
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He said: “All the songs we sing are very much about our heroes, to remember them. But we have to understand that this is a football match and that the Malvinas issue needs to be discussed elsewhere.”
He added: “What happened was an atrocity, and we always remember it. But what we want is to win the match to reach the final.”
De Paul also brought up the infamous 1986 quarter-final, which saw Argentina beat England 2-1 thanks to Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal before an incredible solo effort, regarded as one of the greatest goals in football history.
He said: “We are playing a football match against England. It’s hugely significant and brings back a lot of memories because of what Diego did, and because of what happened back then.”
In light of the tension between the nations, the Atlanta Police Department said extra officers and resources had already been deployed around the city before the match, with increased patrols planned around the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and “entertainment districts and other high-traffic areas.”
It said: “These proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.”
Ahead of the semi-final, the police officer responsible for the UK’s football policing said England supporters had set an example throughout the tournament. Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police, the UK’s football policing lead, said the conduct of England fans at Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami had again been “exemplary,” with “no animosity between fans at the end of the match.”
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