Messi’s ‘childish’ Argies are insulting those who died, say Falkland vets as tensions heat up over ‘Malvinas’ chant
FALKLANDS War veterans have reacted furiously to “childish” chants from Argentinian players to do it for “Las Malvinas” ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final clash.
Lionel Messi and teammates were told to grow up for bringing up the sovereignty of the South Atlantic territory 44 years after the conflict.
They were seen chanting about winning for “Las Malvinas” — their name for the Falklands — after they got through to the semis in an extra time win against Switzerland.
Argentina’s victory, after VAR controversy, set up the defending champions’ titanic clash with bitter rivals England in Atlanta.
But brave heroes who fought in the 1982 war — which cost the lives of 255 Brit defenders and 649 Argentine invaders — have slammed their sabre rattling.
Simon Weston, above, a Welsh Guard who suffered horrendous injuries in the bombing of the ship Sir Galahad, told The Sun: “It’s insulting to the people who died including the Argentinians. They are singing a song that means nothing, it’s stupid and irrelevant.
“None of these footballers, in their ignorance, were around in 1982. How bloody childish.
“We’re going to do what for the Malvinas? Win a football match.
“It’s a signifier that we’ve downgraded the seriousness of the loss of life and sacrifice made for the right to self-determination. The islanders deserve to be left alone to get on with their world.
“Democracy is being completely ignored by the Argentinians. I can’t understand what the Argentinian football team thinks that they are singing about.
“This is just a childish chant and I hope England win.”
Falklands veteran Rear Admiral Chris Parry said: “It is ridiculous that they are singing this song.
“The Argentinians don’t have any legitimate claim to the Falklands and if they had done it would have been de-legitimised with the invasion. But they couldn’t cheat in war like they did with Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’. Sadly, 255 British people died ensuring that British sovereign territory remained as such.
“People were injured on my ship and people died who I knew very well. I am sure their families would feel disappointed that something that was settled once and for all has been reopened again.
“The Argentinians need to be very careful about starting to poke the lion again and I don’t think they should be bringing politics into sport like that.”
Captain Jeremy Larken, who commanded HMS Fearless in the conflict, said: “It is disrespectful of them to sing about the war.
“However, the Argentines are wedded to the idea of wanting the Falklands — it is in their DNA.
“I am delighted that England have got this far and if Harry Kane and his men can use this as a leg-up to motivate them further that would be great.”
Argentina says the islands — famous for penguins — should be theirs. But they were claimed by a British captain in 1765 before a settlement was established.
Yesterday, funny memes started circulating on the internet — including a picture showing former PM Margaret Thatcher, who spearheaded the 1982 taskforce, as the referee for the match.
The islands — which have a population of around 3,500 — were invaded by desperate tinpot dictator General Galtieri with an army of terrified conscripts backed up by French-made fast jets.
British forces sank their warship General Belgrano, with the loss of 323 sailors.
Hardened marine commandos and paratroopers then landed at San Carlos before yomping 56 miles across brutal terrain to clear out the enemy positions on a series of hills outside capital Port Stanley.
Lisa Watson, editor of the island’s newspaper Penguin News, was a teenager during the conflict.
She commented: “There’s always rhetoric coming out of Argentina with someone having a hissy fit somewhere.”
Lisa said of the match: “It’s an emotional time for everyone here.
“I find it stressful and it brings up a lot of emotions and memories.
“You can’t get away from the fact that this match is loaded with a lot of history.”
Argentina’s chant in the dressing room also referenced Maradona whose “Hand of God” cheat goal helped put England out of the 1986 quarter-final at the Azteca stadium in Mexico.
And it encourages their team to win the cup again for superstar captain Messi’s last international competition.
They sang: “I’ve been Argentine from the cradle to the grave, for the Malvinas, Diego, for Leo’s last one, Argentina I want to see you become back to back champions.”
SOURCE: THESUN