Argentine Veterans Urge Focus on Football Before England Semifinal, Not 1982 Islands Claims
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 14
Argentine Veterans Urge Focus on Football Before England Semifinal, Not 1982 Islands Claims
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 14
Summary
Argentina’s April 2 War Veterans Federation said Monday the World Cup semifinal against England is “not an armed rematch,” urging fans to honor the 1982 dead without hatred or xenophobia.
649 Argentine and 255 British personnel were killed in the Falklands-Malvinas war, a legacy that has resurfaced during the tournament through chants linking the islands, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Lionel Scaloni and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford both tried to cool the rhetoric before Wednesday’s match in Atlanta, saying nothing beyond football is at stake.
Britain still controls the islands and keeps a military presence there, while Argentina continues to press its sovereignty claim through diplomacy and international bodies including the United Nations.