Atlanta Police Boost Security for England-Argentina Semi-Final as 74-Day Falklands War Shadows Match
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 14
Atlanta Police Boost Security for England-Argentina Semi-Final as 74-Day Falklands War Shadows Match
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 14
Summary
Additional police personnel and resources have been deployed across Atlanta before Wednesday’s England-Argentina World Cup semi-final, covering the stadium, entertainment districts and other high-traffic areas.
Atlanta police said the heightened posture reflects bigger crowds and the fixture’s historical tensions, with the teams meeting at a World Cup for the first time since 2002.
1982 still looms over the rivalry: the 74-day Falklands War killed 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British combatants and three civilians, and Argentina players recently sang a chant referencing the islands after beating Egypt 3-2.
Officials and players have tried to cool the atmosphere, with an Argentine veterans group urging fans to separate football from politics and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford calling it “just a game of football.”
Security in Atlanta was already tightening before the match, with the FBI and local police using drones and seizing 86 unauthorized drones in the city during the tournament.