A federation of Argentinian war veterans has called on football supporters to focus on the game ahead of their World Cup semifinal against England rather than use the match as a platform to push sovereignty claims over South Atlantic islands.
Argentina and Britain fought a short conflict over the islands known by the British as the Falklands and by Argentinians as the Malvinas in 1982, in which 649 Argentinian soldiers and 255 British fighters died.
The group said on Monday that the match was “not an armed rematch nor historical compensation”, urging fans and the wider public to honour the memory of Argentinian soldiers killed in the conflict without promoting hatred or xenophobia.
“Sovereignty is defended in international forums through diplomacy, historical truth and the peaceful, non-negotiable claim enshrined in our national constitution,” the April 2 War Veterans Federation said in a statement.
“We consider it essential to draw a clear and unwavering line between sporting passion and the national cause.”
“The ball rolls, pride in our colours multiplies, but memory remains intact.”
The United Kingdom claims sovereignty over the islands and maintains a military presence there, while Argentina continues to pursue its claim through diplomatic channels and international bodies, including the United Nations.
During the World Cup, Argentina fans and players have been singing a chant referencing the islands, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi’s bid to end his international career with a second World Cup title.
Credit: aljazeera.com
