ARGENTINA’S president has boasted his players will only pay a measly fine and brushed off any wrongdoing by the squad for waving a despicable “Las Malvinas” banner.

Madcap leader Javier Milei called his team’s actions “understandable” before bragging they will only be handed a monetary punishment in the “worst-case” scenario.

Argentina’s president Javier Milei has backed up the national team

Giovani Lo Celso of Argentina holds a banner after the 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi and Co sparked fury by brandishing a sign which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine” following the 2-1 semi-final win over England last night.

But backing the players, nationalist firebrand Milei spouted today: “The Malvinas are Argentine.”

He brazenly added: “What the players did is understandable; emotion got the better of them.

“They did it, and that will probably lead to discussion of an economic sanction.”

England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final

He insisted the claim over the British Overseas Territory was a “feeling shared by all Argentinians”.

The Argentine leader boasted: “It is perfectly valid and legitimate for the players to want to express themselves and do so.

“The things that happen on the field with the players are not part of diplomacy.

“In the worst-case scenario, Argentina will face a £20,000 economic sanction from Fifa.”

Argentina fans revelled in their country’s 1-2 win over England

The territory-hungry tyrant then added: “We are going to recover the Malvinas, and we will do so through diplomatic means, with intelligence in our actions.”

The comments mark a massive U-turn as his government had previously confirmed a ban on fans entering the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday with Falklands flags.

Argentina’s shameful behaviour has even sparked a diplomatic row between London and Buenos Aires – with Downing Street issuing a “hands off” warning.

Britain also dismissed Argentine protests over a Royal Navy warship sailing through its waters near the Falkland Islands shortly after the match.

Buenos Aires lodged a furious complaint when HMS Medway, an offshore patrol ship, sailed to and from the Antarctic just hours after the Three Lions loss.

Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno claimed the warship illegally entered Argentine waters earlier this month without prior warning.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence quickly dismissed the Argie protest.

An MoD spokesperson said: “HMS Medway undertook a routine logistics visit to Punta Arenas on 5-8 July supporting British Antarctic Survey operations, delivering essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica.

“The transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile and back was carried out via the most direct practicable route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”

A No 10 spokeswoman added: “The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law.”

Argentina’s shameless players have even tried to wriggle out of sanctions by pointing the finger at the own fans.

When quizzed on the vile display, spineless defender Gonzalo Montiel claimed: “They just threw one down from the stands and the boys grabbed it.”

The Falklands Islands’ own government has even slammed the crass banner – calling it disappointing but hardly surprising.

They said: “The Falklands government is disappointed – though regrettably not surprised – that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last night’s World Cup football semi-final – a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands.

“That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the Islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982, which left many traumatised.

“The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands.”

The Falkland Islands is a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean 300 miles off Argentina’s east coast.

Britain has had control of the islands since winning a bitter war to defend them from Buenos Aires in 1982, after Argentina invaded and occupied the territory.

The conflict claimed the lives of 255 UK servicemen, three islanders, and 649 Argentine personnel.

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/sport/16701869/argentina-president-backs-players-falklands-banner/