The Argentine Football Association has designated July 15 as National Football Teams Day. The date has been chosen in part to commemorate the country's FIFA World Cup semifinal triumph over England this summer.
It has also come to light that the controversial banner displayed following the match, which endorsed Argentina's claims to the Falklands, is set to be presented to Argentine veterans of the conflict. It was on July 15, in Atlanta, that Lionel Scaloni's side shattered England's hopes of reaching a first World Cup final since 1966 with two late goals in a 2–1 victory.
Argentina ultimately fell to Spain in the Final, 1-0. At a meeting of their Association and Professional League Executive Committee, chaired by AFA president Claudio Tapia, the organization resolved to mark the occasion, as per The Mirror.
A statement read: "The tribute is not solely for that milestone achieved by the senior national team. The recognition is, of course, also for each and every one of the national teams - youth, men's and women's - that train day in and day out at the Lionel Andres Messi complex with the hope, joy, and responsibility of defending the national colours."
A permanent day to honor the victory was established as defeating the Three Lions "set the whole country alight, with people flooding the streets in pure celebration," according to the statement.
FIFA launched disciplinary proceedings against Argentina following the country's conduct in the wake of the final whistle, after players displayed a banner reading: "Las Malvinas son Argentinas." This translates to "The Malvinas (the Spanish name for The Falklands) are Argentine."
FIFA cited violations including discriminatory chants and gestures, misconduct, security and protocol failures, and the display of inappropriate messages.
The Falklands are a British Overseas Territory situated in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, and remain the subject of a deeply contentious dispute between the two nations.
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In 1982, Argentina invaded the islands, triggering armed conflict. The war lasted 74 days, claiming the lives of 655 Argentine and 255 British soldiers, with three island residents also perishing.
The banner was handcrafted from a bed sheet, its slogan painted in black. It was held aloft by Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez, Tottenham Hotspur defender Cuti Romero and ex-Spurs player Giovanni Lo Celso, though the vast majority of Argentine players aligned themselves behind its message.
Those responsible for creating the banner are reportedly members of a group from Villa Luro, a district of Buenos Aires. According to a report via InfoBae, they successfully smuggled the flag into the stadium in Atlanta by concealing it in their underwear.
The homemade flag has since sparked imitations throughout stadiums across Argentine soccer, with certain clubs, such as Ferro Carril Oeste, embracing the typeface and unveiling their own version.
It has been reported that the contentious banner is in "good hands" after being kept by Patricio Auber, who traveled with the team delegation to the World Cup. The flag is now said to remain in the country and will shortly be turned over to Argentines who served in the Falklands conflict.
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
