Falklands mock Argentina after World Cup loss with poem saying they fell ‘and not using a battle’
The Falkland Islands put the boot in on Argentina following their World Cup defeat – with a poem mocking them for falling ‘without a fight’.
The tiny community blasted their former invaders’ shot-shy performance in the soccer showpiece in front of a global TV audience of at least 1.5 billion. In a powerful verse they said the ‘football world breathes easier’ after Spain overcame the Argies’ ‘dark arts’ to win 1-0 after extra-time.
FIFA officials are probing the behaviour of several Argentina players who appeared to push, kick, thump and even throttle their opponents after the final whistle – before turning their backs on them as they collected the trophy.
Giovani Lo Celso of Argentina holds a banner claiming ownership of the Falklands after the semi-final (Image: Getty Images)
Locals – who have run Twitter account @Falklands_Utd for 14 years commenting on world events relating to the 3,500 residents of the South Atlantic archipelago – could not resist a dig at players who tried to claim ownership of the islands during Argentina’s semi-final clash with England.
Their poem read: “So, in the end, they fell without a fight. Not one true effort, not one shot in sight. Just noise and fury, chest-beating and show. Yet nowhere left for football’s craft to go.
“They chased the referee more than the ball, mistook dark arts for greatness after all. For every tumble, every feigned despair, the game itself was left a little poorer there.
Brit flag flying over Falkland Islands(Image: Getty)
“And when the whistle drew the curtain closed, there was no glory in the path they chose. For medals tarnish, scorelines fade away, but character is measured every day.
“So home they go, defeated in the end – without the pride that should a champion attend. For victory borrowed through deception’s guise, wins trophies, perhaps…but never wins the wise. Tonight the football world breathes easier still. Not out of malice, but because, at last, the spirit of the game outlived the spectacle.”
The islands’ government has demanded a FIFA probe after several players paraded on the pitch with a banner saying ‘The Falklands are Argentinian’ after their 2-1 victory over England last week.
Argentina’s midfielder Leandro Paredes (top) clashes with Spain’s midfielder Gavi (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The move breached tournament rules banning players from displaying political messages or slogans before, during or after matches. Then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said afterwards: “The World Cup might not be ours but the Falkland Islands definitely are.”
In 1982 the two nations fought a 74-day war over the sovereignty of the islands – founded by a Brit sea captain in 1690 – in which 907 died. In a 2013 referendum 99/8% of the islanders voted to stay British.
But the Argentinians have continued to lay claim to the archipelago and raised the issue again ahead of the semi. That is not the only FIFA investigation they now face after shameful scenes following Sunday’s final.
Disciplinary proceedings will be launched into a red card issued to Leandro Paredes after the final whistle and the roles of other players and officials in a post-match melee. Paredes grabbed Spain’s Eric García around the neck and then hit Gavi in the face.
It kicked off after Nahuel Molina hit Manchester City midfielder Rodri – the player of the tournament – in the chest as he ran past him celebrating.
Argentina’s assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also involved in an altercation with Spain’s Dani Olmo. Ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart labelled Argentina’s behaviour ‘disgusting’.
Wayne Rooney(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
His fellow pundit Wayne Rooney, the former England captain, said of Argentina’s behaviour: “Does it surprise you? It doesn’t surprise me. We’ve seen this with Argentina before. It’s just not the reaction you want.
“We’ve seen some of the reaction after knocking England out in the last round. That’s just sad. If you lose a game of football, be graceful and get out of there. It’s really poor from them.”
Some Argentinians were seen turning their backs to Spain’s players as they collected their winners’ medals. Argentina committed 113 fouls at the World Cup – the most of any team.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni, who stepped in to separate Paredes from García and Gavi at full-time, said: “We are gracious in victory and we must be gracious in defeat. We lost the match and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”
He was unable to hold back the tears in his post-match press conference and walked out. Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s head coach, said: “The match should have been decided much earlier. But this is a World Cup final and you have to dig deep even against 10 men. “And we’re prepared for anything.”
