Argentina has formally accused a British warship of entering its territorial waters just hours after the country defeated England in the World Cup final, reigniting a long-standing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
Official protest lodged
In a statement shared on X by Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno following Wednesday night's match, the foreign affairs ministry expressed 'strong rejection' of the ship's movements and accused Britain of a 'military incursion' into waters it considers Argentine. The HMS Medway, a patrol vessel normally based in the Falkland Islands, is tasked with patrolling and protecting fisheries.
Quirno wrote: 'The Argentine Government firmly rejects this British military incursion into areas under Argentine jurisdiction. The Argentine Republic once again reaffirms what it considers its legitimate and inalienable sovereign rights over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. By history, by law, and by conviction, the Malvinas are Argentine.'
Political reactions
Before the match, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni had said he did not want the fixture to become about the territorial conflict. However, the country's vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, tweeted a victory message at full-time saying 'it wasn't just another match' alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers. In the build-up, she had described England as 'invaders' and 'usurping pirates'.
On the British side, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on X: 'The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.'
FIFA implications
The banner waved by Argentine players after the match referred to the dispute over the British overseas territory. The players could face disciplinary action from FIFA for violating rules banning political messaging on the pitch.
Post-match unrest
Fights broke out outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta following the match, with police seen taking at least three people away. The Atlanta Police Department deployed extra resources around the city, with officers lining the streets outside bars near the stadium after the 2-1 defeat that dashed England's hopes of ending 60 years of World Cup hurt.
