Ahead of the World Cup semi-final match between Argentina and England, Vice President Victoria Villarruel sparked controversy by referring to the English as “usurping pirates.” In a social media post, she emphasized that the upcoming game carries weight beyond sports, linking it to the ongoing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.
Villarruel mentioned legendary figures Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, framing the match as a confrontation with invaders. Her father served in the 1982 Falklands War, a conflict that resulted in hundreds of deaths for both nations and left the status of the islands unresolved. While she expressed a refusal to remain politically neutral, her comments diverged from those of national coach Lionel Scaloni, who insisted that the match should remain strictly a sporting event. Meanwhile, Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva confirmed that fans attending the game in Atlanta will be prohibited from carrying flags or items related to the Falkland Islands dispute into the stadium.
