FIFA is reviewing whether Argentina's players violated its rules by displaying a political banner after their World Cup semi-final win over England, a move that has drawn sharp reactions from British officials and reignited decades-old tensions over the Falkland Islands. Main Developments Following Argentina's victory in Atlanta, players held up a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine). FIFA confirmed Thursday its independent disciplinary committee is assessing match reports to determine potential sanctions under its disciplinary code. Read also: 3 reasons players are challenging ICC's World Cup format change British Business Minister Peter Kyle called the display an "egregious violation" of FIFA rules banning political symbols on the field, urging the governing body to act. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office backed his stance, with a spokesperson stating, "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are." Argentina's leadership defended the banner. President Javier Milei called it "perfectly valid and legitimate," adding, "The Malvinas are Argentine, we're going to recover them, and we will do it through diplomatic means." Vice President Victoria Villarruel escalated rhetoric before the match, calling the English "usurping pirates." Background The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, have been a source of dispute since Britain occupied them in the 19th century. Argentina claims sovereignty and invaded the islands in 1982, triggering a brief war in which 649 Argentines and 255 Britons died. Britain regained control after Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval task force. This is not Argentina's first run-in with FIFA over the slogan. In 2014, the Argentine Football Association was fined $27,000 after players posed with a similar banner before a friendly against Slovenia. FIFA cited breaches of rules on "political action" and team misconduct. Why It Matters The incident underscores the tension between FIFA's strict ban on political messaging and national sentiment, particularly in high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup. For Argentina, the banner reflects a longstanding grievance that resonates domestically, while for Britain, it challenges the legitimacy of its rule over the islands. The diplomatic fallout extends beyond football: Argentina's Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno filed a formal protest over a British warship, HMS Medway, near the Falklands, calling its passage "unconsulted and illegal." What's Next FIFA's disciplinary committee will review match reports and decide whether to impose sanctions, potentially including fines or other penalties under its code. The outcome could set a precedent for how the governing body handles political expressions during future tournaments. Meanwhile, diplomatic exchanges between Argentina and Britain over the Falklands' status are likely to continue, with both sides standing firm on their positions.