FIFA's stance on punishing Argentina for Falklands song ahead of potential England game

FIFA will not take action against Argentina after its players sang a chant in the dressing room that referenced the Falkland Islands following their World Cup round of 16 win over Egypt.

Lionel Scaloni's side secured their place in the quarter-finals of this summer's tournament in North America after one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history.

The defending champions were two goals down in the 78th minute and looked to be on their way out. In fact, even after Cristian Romero made it 2-1, Opta gave them a 0.6 per cent chance of going through.

But they showed the grit and determination that won them the 2022 edition in Qatar, as goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez secured a memorable 3-2 win for La Albiceleste.

After the full-time whistle, the Argentine Football Association posted footage on social media of Argentina's dressing-room celebrations, which featured a rendition of the country’s new World Cup anthem, La Cuarta Estrella (The Fourth Star).

This song includes a mention of “the Malvinas”, Argentina's name for the Falklands.

The lyrics to La Cuarta Estrella (The Fourth Star) in English

“I am a fan of the national team, I cheer it on with all my heart.

“We won the third title with Lionel, and we want to be champions once again.

“And 32 years later, La Scaloneta will avenge the trophy that was taken from the No 10, the one we were not allowed to lift.

“I want to see the fourth star shining on the jersey.

“I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s final chapter.

“Argentina, I want to see you become back-to-back champions.”

The Falklands War was a 74-day undeclared war fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over control of the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependencies in the South Atlantic.

In total, 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel died in the war.

A report from the Daily Mail claims no action will be taken against Argentina for the Falklands reference.

Earlier on in the tournament, a group of England fans were unable to bring flags into a stadium as it featured a silhouette of a soldier, which was a mark of respect to those who passed away in conflict.

A number of Barrow supporters were also told they could not display a St George's cross because it contained an image of a submarine, something that violates tournament rules against military and weaponry imagery.

If Argentina and England win their quarter-finals against Switzerland and Norway respectively, they will face off in Atlanta on July 15. And the winner of that game will feature in the final on June 19.