The history of the 1982 military conflict, the historic controversy over Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986, and the current explosive comments from former footballers — all of these are keenly felt by football fans ahead of the Argentina vs. England semi-final. Despite banning provocative Falklands War banners from the stands, the FBI has issued an unprecedented warning over the possibility of violent clashes between fans of the two countries. According to the US intelligence agency, this is the highest-risk match of the current World Cup.
Isolated clashes broke out between England fans in Miami last week after England beat Norway to book their place in the semi-finals. Security has been stepped up in Atlanta as thousands of fans flock to the match. Tickets are in high demand, with prices on FIFA’s official resale site reaching as high as $3,700 (over 400,000 Bangladeshi taka).
The 68,239-capacity Atlanta stadium has separate entrances for fans of both teams. However, there is no provision to keep them separated within the stands once inside the stadium. To avoid clashes, local authorities are trying to keep fans apart by designating certain bars and restaurants in the city exclusively for England fans and others for Argentina fans.
The 1982 Falklands War, as always, casts a shadow over this match. Also tied to the rivalry are Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal, which knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup, and the historic memory of David Beckham’s red card in 1998.
Excitement has been further fueled by a video of the Argentine players. In the dressing room, they are seen chanting slogans such as “Las Malvinas, por Diego y por la última de Leo,” meaning “For the Falklands, for Maradona, and for Leo Messi’s last World Cup.” The players themselves have drawn this fixture — one of football’s most enduring rivalries — into the history of that military conflict.
Political tensions have been heightened ahead of the match by Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirino, who this week reiterated Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands. However, the Buenos Aires government remains in constant contact with the UK Foreign Office, the FBI, and local police to avoid any untoward incidents or riots.
Security personnel at the stadium have been given clear instructions to confiscate any Falkland Islands banner painted in the colors of the Argentine flag, or any flag or placard bearing the word “Malvinas,” if spotted in the stands.
Meanwhile, England legend Gary Lineker has come under fire for using the Argentine term “Malvinas” instead of “Falklands” on his podcast, “The Rest is Football.” Despite the criticism, Lineker stood his ground, clarifying last night, “I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. That’s what the islands are called in Argentina. So I simply used a factually correct term.”
