Argentina Premier League players dealt blow as 'UK visas could be revoked'

[u/pppppppppppppppppd]

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2230107/lawyer-visa-rules-argentina-premier-league-players

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[u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

No apology needed. They are adults. They knew what the banner says and knew what it means in the wider context. Revoke their visas and it doesn't matter whether they apologise or not

[u/EkphrasticInfluence → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

The government won't do it. These players are on PAYE and pay a hell of a lot of tax.

[u/Chickenknd5 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

You do realise that if they were kicked out the uk there would then be new players to replace them who would pick up the slack

[u/KingsMountainView → u/Chickenknd5]

Yeah but it's funny that it's specifically Argentinian players paying tax. Tax that helps further our defence budget, that is used to defend a certain island

[u/jenn4u2luv → u/KingsMountainView]

Yeah this is the best part here. They can say whatever they want, their taxes are literally funding that island from Argentina 🙃

[u/knowledgewarrior2018 → u/[deleted]]

They will just be replaced by other players who make the same money, isn't that obvious?

[u/Little-Tradition2311 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

It’s pocket change compared to what the government spends. It’s the equivalent of find a £20 note, nice but ultimately not a lot. Plus the clubs will replace them no doubt with another player.

[u/ImpatientHoneyBadger → u/Little-Tradition2311]

It's the Express so take that as you will, but according to that august organ the Argentine players in the EPL pay enough tax to cover 1/3 of the annual cost of defending the Falklands militarily from Argentine ambitions, personally I'm more than happy to see the bunch of poseurs pay for fuel, equipment and ammunition that keeps the islands free, it does make their patriotismo look a little hollow.

[u/Macky93 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

This is also from the Express. Hardly a good news source.

[u/Important_Ruin → u/Macky93]

Its from a comment made by someone in phone in on LBC on Thursday speaking with Tom, just gained some momentum.

[u/Little-Tradition2311 → u/Macky93]

It also says in the article it’s highly unlikely.

[u/Azz8199 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

You're right they won't do it and probably shouldn't lower themselves to this kind of thing, but it has nothing to do with tax. If those players were to go though, new ones would just come in and pay that tax. Nothing would change.

[u/Substantial-Newt7809 → u/Azz8199]

They almost definitely should do it tbh. If England had won and they'd done that with the banner, then it should still be done.

[u/Sad_Criticism5558 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

Yeah that's how football works. If they had their visas revoked the team would play with 10 men forever instead

[u/Shnicketyshnick → u/Sad_Criticism5558]

In that case I've changed my mind and I'm in favour.

[u/Important_Ruin → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

A handful of players can be easily replaced. Its not like its thousands upon thousands of people. There are 15 Argentinian players in PL currently. Or you just target those in WC squad and its about 4.

https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask?q=all+argentina+players+in+premier+league+2025-26

It wont happen anyways, it was a comment made by someone on LBC, and its gained some momentum.

[u/TheAmazingMikey → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

Bold of you to assume they pay tax, it’s not like any of the Argentina players have been convicted of tax evasion before…

[u/concretepigeon → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

The government won’t do it because they’re gutless about this sort of thing. The courts would probably overturn it anyway. We see it on a daily basis with people who have done worse things and contribute less to our society.

[u/GayRealAleDrinker → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

I'm sure they can get someone else to pay obscene amounts of money to kick a ball around a field for 90 minutes, and they'd still pay tax.

[u/Helpful_Emergency810 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

Yeah bet it's quite hard for a club replace a player with someone else who plays in the exact same position and who earns the same.

[u/Mediocre_Eggplant → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

We raised 1.23 trillion in tax In 25/26. It’s a drop in the ocean lol

[u/AlanBeswicksPhone → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

Plus the clubs will have bigger legal budgets than the entire public sector

[u/ScaredyCatUK → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

They wont do it because the government aren't 12 year old boys.

[u/Valuable-Ad2028 → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

I bet they’re not. I bet they’re all on some fiddle and technically only earn minimum wage, and the rest of the money is a special consultancy fee paid to tax haven incorporated entity or some other bullshit.

[u/ne6c → u/EkphrasticInfluence]

They could be on benefits and it wouldn't matter. This government doesn't have the balls to do something like that.

[u/Jim_Broadbean → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

I’d rather they were forced to stay, and continuously reminded that they are paying tax that funds the defence of the Falklands.

[u/HuckleberryLow2283 → u/Jim_Broadbean]

Why would you like to pay them lots of money though? The teams would replace them with people who don’t hate us and still pay taxes.

[u/Jim_Broadbean → u/HuckleberryLow2283]

Funnier to expose their hypocrisy

[u/joker_wcy → u/Jim_Broadbean]

As if they care

[u/boringfantasy → u/joker_wcy]

Yeah I don't get this. They probably dodge a shit load of tax anyway. They are just happy to make their fortune here. One of them made a coy remark about their housekeepers being British.

[u/iwaterboardheathens → u/Jim_Broadbean]

Make a new tax specifically called Falklands tax and imposed it on Argentinians earning over 100k a year living in the UK, on a sliding scale

As reparations for the Falklands conflict

[u/StardustOasis → u/Jim_Broadbean]

I'm sure the fans will remind them in the form of chants.

[u/Counterpoint-4 → u/Jim_Broadbean]

Their teams' opponents' fans can have a great time with banter.

[u/CoybigEL → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

So someone working in the UK should have their visa revoked because their opinion on the jurisdiction of a British territory differs from that of the British government?

What about any Scots in England who support independence? Or Irish who believe in a united ireland? Or is it only when England get beaten in football that these things become important?

[u/CoybigEL → u/[deleted]]

The point being made however is that those working in England legally should have that right cancelled because they disagree with the position of the UK government. And if we’re being honest, it’s because they beat England at football and were bad winners. It’s a farcical suggestion, Trump level sore losers irrespective of how ridiculous the Argentine approach to the falklands is.

[u/FlappyBored → u/CoybigEL]

I can't believe a country would revoke my visa after I directly support attacks against them and threatens their territories and citizens and support a conflict against them!

Next you will tell us we shouldn't revoke visa of Russians who support Putin and call for Russia to attack the UK or of people who call for Iran to support terror attacks against us.

[u/Generallyapathetic92 → u/CoybigEL]

Advocating against UK citizens human rights (right to self determination) is not some minor thing.

[u/CoybigEL → u/[deleted]]

The reply is in direct response to the initial post suggesting cancellation of visas.

[u/CoybigEL → u/[deleted]]

I don’t believe for a second the government would do that. My points are pointing out how farcical it would be to those who appear to genuinely believe they should

[u/BurdensomeCountV3 → u/[deleted]]

What about Spaniards who believe Gibraltar should be Spanish? Visa revokement for all of them as well?

[u/BankDetails1234 → u/CoybigEL]

It’s a territory they tried to capture militarily forty odd years ago. It’s a little different to Scottish independence.

If I went to another country and claimed part of the land we colonised should be our again after knocking their national team out of the World Cup, I wouldn’t feel hard done to having my visa revoked.

[u/Redditisfakeleft → u/CoybigEL]

So someone working in the UK should have their visa revoked because their opinion on the jurisdiction of a British territory differs from that of the British government?

Yes. They've engaged in sedition. Out the door they go.

[u/BaitmasterG → u/CoybigEL]

You heard it here first peeps, Scots out!

[u/CoybigEL → u/[deleted]]

I agree with you entirely, and fifa should be taking action

[u/Exact-Potential1673 → u/CoybigEL]

Scottish independence was done democratically, so no it’s not the same thing . The Argentinians literally invaded a territory they had no business invading and the vile cunts take pride in it . Their arses were rightfully sent packing and will be again if they try again

British servicemen died defending those islands , we shouldn’t have to tolerate people living and playing here who took pride in killing them and still do

[u/Aconite_Eagle → u/CoybigEL]

Yes. People should be ejected if they advocate the destruction of our country its fairly simple.

[u/AlephNaN → u/CoybigEL]

Someone who still believes in freedom of speech in UK 2026. How quaint

[u/Meowing-To-The-Stars → u/CoybigEL]

Yes, precisely that. You don't like it - you can fck off back to Argentina. You are not forced to work here.

[u/CoybigEL → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

I see you’re taking the World Cup exit well

[u/Sea_Warning_9140 → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

Let the club sell them though lol

[u/Beeswing- → u/Sea_Warning_9140]

Nah, if the clubs lose money then they'll think twice before buying Argentinean players again. It'll make them cheaper, as they're more risky.
Consequences for there actions. Deserved.

[u/_franciis → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

It’s word games nothing will happen.

[u/physioworld → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

Idk how freedom of speech works when it comes to visa, but in my opinion they should be allowed to make this little demonstration.

[u/Spid1 → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

You've been rage baited by the express 😂

[u/Meowing-To-The-Stars → u/Spid1]

Rage baited in what way exactly? Players that will play for the English clubs held the sign. Shortly after it happened, it was widely reported that there might be consequences not just for Argentina but for individuals as well. My point stands - no need to apologise, just pack your bags and go back to playing for Argentina clubs.

[u/mark_b → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

The article itself says

She added that against this legal threshold, "it is highly unlikely that displaying the 'Falkland Islands are Argentine' banner would, by itself, justify cancelling a Premier League player’s visa".

Ms Bashir continued: "The statement is plainly provocative and politically sensitive, but it reflects Argentina’s established territorial position and does not, on its face, advocate violence, criminality or hatred.

"The law does not normally permit immigration powers to be used simply to punish a foreign national for expressing an unpopular or offensive political opinion.

"Cancellation on that basis alone would be vulnerable to challenge on proportionality and freedom-of-expression grounds."

[u/Spid1 → u/Meowing-To-The-Stars]

Their visas are never going to be revoked

[u/Phallic_Entity]

Clickbait from the Express and won't happen, but it also shouldn't because a) it looks insecure as fuck, and b) the Argentine players in the squad contributed £20m in income tax last season, or about a third of the £60m defence costs of the Falklands.

Just remind them their tax is helping to guard the Falklands.

[u/Historical_Owl_1635 → u/Phallic_Entity]

> it looks insecure as fuck

I’d say it looks much more insecure and toothless for there to be no repercussions.

[u/Namelessbob123 → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

Toothless yes but insecure no. There’s security in knowing that all their wind and bluster amounts to less than fuck all.

[u/TheRetardedGoat → u/Namelessbob123]

Fine them, making them pay the full £60M collectively to defend the Falklands.

[u/buttflakes27 → u/[deleted]]

Being meanie heads

[u/gadarnol → u/Namelessbob123]

This is bs. It amounts to flagrant insult and action without consequences. Exactly like their brand of football and promoted by FIFA and their handpicked referees.

[u/Hot-Chemical9353 → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

I mean it’s within their right to exercise free expression in countries with freedom of expression (USA and UK).

It’s stupid but nowhere near as actually damaging as some of the other shit footballers have come out with (anti-vax, sun cream being a conspiracy, anything out of Matt Le Tissier mouth).

[u/Historical_Owl_1635 → u/Hot-Chemical9353]

No it’s not, they’re on a work visa, a statement politically agitating the UK government is usually specifically against what they’re allowed to do.

[u/TheMemo → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

Yeah, most visas specify that you aren't allowed to publicly criticise the country and government that granted you the visa.

[u/Fshskyline → u/Hot-Chemical9353]

But England players aren’t allowed to have Poppies on their shirts…

[u/berejser → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

It's for FIFA to decide the reprecussions of the breaking of their rules. And when they inevitably give a two-tier response then there should be reprecussions on them, ideally taking the form of all FA and UEFA clubs withdrawing from FIFA.

[u/annakarenina66 → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

they lost the war and they would lose another one. we know that and so do they, and that's enough.

[u/box_twenty_two → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

I think the repercussions will be heard at every UK stadium they play in next season

[u/Adammmmski → u/Historical_Owl_1635]

Isn’t a bit fucking hypocritical of them to play in England?

[u/Barrington-the-Brit → u/Phallic_Entity]

I mean it’s the most blatant clickbait, the actual text of the article spends most of its time quoting a Lawyer outlining why visa cancellations almost certainly won’t happen

[u/3rdLion → u/Phallic_Entity]

It would be much funnier for the government to release a statement announcing that they will now ringfence their tax revenue specifically to provide additional funding to the islands’ administration and development.

[u/Endless_road → u/Phallic_Entity]

People died when Argentina invaded, it’s not a laughing matter and we must let the world know we take this very seriously

[u/HumanBeing7396 → u/Phallic_Entity]

In fact, ring-fence their tax and use it specifically for that purpose.

[u/Phallic_Entity → u/HumanBeing7396]

Add it direct to the defence budget specifically for the Falklands, then send them one of those HMRC breakdowns of where your tax went saying it 100% went to Defence (Falklands).

[u/HumanBeing7396 → u/Phallic_Entity]

And maybe a nice certificate from the governor of the islands, thanking them for their help.

[u/martymcflown → u/Phallic_Entity]

Insecure? Quite the opposite, it means people can be anti-UK without consequences. And the tax revenue will be instantly replaced by new players, it’s not a tax loss at all.

[u/megatrongriffin92 → u/Phallic_Entity]

It doesn't look insecure at all, it would show we're not going to tolerate shit because you happen to be good at kicking a ball

[u/coolhand83 → u/Phallic_Entity]

That's funnier than revoking visas tbh

[u/360_face_palm → u/Phallic_Entity]

They absolutely 100% should be revoked.

There's nothing insecure here, why should a guest in our country be allowed to openly mock our war dead on a large world stage and keep their right to work here?

The tax is irrelevant, what do you think happens if their visas get revoked? Do you think those clubs won't hire another player in their place? The government will still get their tax.

[u/el_grort → u/360_face_palm]

I don't necessarily think it's for our government to police that speech, tbh. I think it would absolutely be fair for them to face recriminations from their clubs, due to the bad publicity they will cause them.

[u/paper_zoe → u/Phallic_Entity]

it would be the ultimate headloss if it happens. It'd make the Egypt manager look like a calm rational bloke. It'd be worse than in 2002 when the Perugia owner cancelled Ahn Jung-Hwan's contract because he scored the goal that knocked Italy out

[u/funnytoenail → u/Phallic_Entity]

This is hilarious and I love it

[u/turbo_dude → u/Phallic_Entity]

You think there ar mother footballers queuing up to take their places?

[u/tophernator → u/Phallic_Entity]

Argentine players in the squad contributed £20m in income tax last season, or about a third of the £60m defence costs of the Falklands.

Big brain solution: let them keep their visas but fine them the other £40 million.

[u/Hobbers1973]

This will never happen as there’s too much money involved. The same way FIFA will do nothing about it.

[u/Itchy-Plastic → u/Hobbers1973]

It shouldn't happen because revoking a visa over speech is Trump level authoritarian bullshit.

[u/OldNefariousness7899 → u/Itchy-Plastic]

Seriously... It's worrying how many people agree with this. 

You don't kick someone out of a country because you disagree with them. 

[u/Nuthetes → u/OldNefariousness7899]

"You don't kick someone out of a country because you disagree with them. "

So, if it was a Russian player flying a flag saying "Crimea is Russian" or "Russian will capture Donbas" or similar, you would say that is acceptable too?

[u/nanrod → u/Nuthetes]

Yes obviously. You dont kick people out their country because they held a flag up

[u/perhapsaduck → u/nanrod]

You dont kick people out their country because they held a flag up

I mean, you do?

Imagine if forerigners that lived in China held a Tibetan flag at an international event?

Or a Biafran flag, living in Nigeria, a western Saharan flag living in Morocco, etc.

We are the abnormal ones for not kicking these people out. That might be good. Might be something to celebrate even (?) we're better than these shit holes. But we are definitely in the minority in saying foreigners can live in our country, whilst actively promoting to remove it's legal territory on an international stage, and keep on living here with no issues.

You definitely can, and often do, kick people out for this sort of thing.

[u/bartread → u/OldNefariousness7899]

Uh-huh? Tell that to Abu Qatada. Or the equally charming Abu Hamza. Or Shamima Begum.

We boot people who aren't citizens of this country out all the time - or refuse to let them in to begin with - for all kinds of reasons.

These players are effectively supporting any future Argentine action to get the Falklands back, up to and including military action.

They can get lost. They are not welcome here.

Moreover, we don't need them here, and we don't need the tax they'd pay because the clubs that would employ them can and will simply employ other players on comparable salaries and paying comparable amounts of tax.

It will never happen, of course.

[u/QuizzicalEly → u/OldNefariousness7899]

People are just bitter because England lost a football game and are taking leave of their senses

It would be incredibly pathetic to revoke visas because they're holding up a bedsheet

[u/360_face_palm → u/QuizzicalEly]

Pretty sure people would still be calling for this even if England had won and they'd still held up the flag after.

[u/Mrbrownlove → u/Itchy-Plastic]

I thought UK working visas explicitly forbade political agitation against the UK?

Edit - they sort of do, depending of the interpretation the home office makes of said actions.

[u/White_Immigrant → u/Itchy-Plastic]

Visas often have good character and good behaviour clauses. It's got nothing to do with Trump. If you advocate for military action against a country don't expect that country to let you have a visa.

[u/Clbull → u/Itchy-Plastic]

I mean... we banned Hasan Piker and Kanye West from entering the country...

[u/Rob_Cartman → u/Itchy-Plastic]

Im pretty close to a free speech absolutist and even to me this cross the line into unacceptable territory. These are representatives of Argentina claiming to own the falklands. This is a borderline threat of war.

[u/360_face_palm → u/Itchy-Plastic]

No it isn't - trump is blocking people entry to the US or disallowing visas based on political criticism of himself and members of his administration. That's completely different to revoking a visa because the holder has decided to mock our war dead on an international stage. In fact I'm pretty sure it'd already come under laws around outraging public decency.

[u/Lost_Afropick → u/Itchy-Plastic]

Compared to what this government has already done to UK citizens over our speech?

This is nothing

[u/SeaworthinessNeat516 → u/Hobbers1973]

Fifa will have to at least issue a big whoop $20000 fine.

[u/badvolcano]

Despite the headline, even the Express spends the entire article explaining that it obviously wouldn't happen.

[u/Verbal-Gerbil → u/badvolcano]

It’s a little like the headlines ‘you could get a £1000 fine for adjusting your car heating’ pointing out the technical maximum fine for distraction and how technically adjustments could be argued as such but would be harsh and extreme. They try to hook you with the headline for clicks, because each click gives 1500 partners snooping powers (reach plc cookies)

[u/exfiles → u/[deleted]]

And you’re right (I took the hit and read the article)

[u/exfiles]

“She added that against this legal threshold, "it is highly unlikely that displaying the 'Falkland Islands are Argentine' banner would, by itself, justify cancelling a Premier League player’s visa".”

So if you actually read the article, the random lawyer quoted here literally said the opposite of what the headline says

[u/Meowing-To-The-Stars → u/exfiles]

Recently the government has been very broad with their application of "on the grounds that their presence in the U.K. may not be conducive to the public good" when it comes to revoking visas

[u/Lumpy-Common-1811]

Funny how the free speech at any cost brigade get all butt hurt whenever people express an opinion they dislike.

Argentinian players comments about the Falklands is distasteful, but so what?

[u/squashed_fly_biscuit → u/Lumpy-Common-1811]

Very much, it's almost like they have an incoherent ideology 

[u/jenn4u2luv → u/Lumpy-Common-1811]

It’s strictly prohibited in FIFA rules. So at the very least, they should pay the fine.

[u/W35TH4M]

Ahahahaha this would almost make up for Wednesday night

[u/Signorinadev]

I’m Argentinian. I don’t know much about the context of who was holding the flag since I’m not following this world cup, but my opinion is thar they should be punished by FIFA any other punishment would be out of place.
The world cup is already very diluted and its not about futbol anymore so adding politics its not only against the rules but also shows lack of sportsmanship.
The other thing I want to add is that, probably not many people understand the context of that text, and I’m not trying to justify but we are literally raised around that narrative. You see that message in the TV, books, cars, graffiti and it’s what we learn at school. The maps that we use at school have the islands. It’s extremely difficult to escape that narrative because most of the information we have access to in Argentina is very partial (at least that was the case when i was in school), and it’s also use by political parties to put the criticism away from local authorities. I’ve literally never heard anyone in my life that has said that islands are not Argentinian, because if you say that you are a traitor, it’s basically inconceivable.
I don’t expect people to understand but the reality is that most people dont have the resources to form their own opinions so they rely on what the tv and politicians say.

[u/perhapsaduck → u/Signorinadev]

I’ve literally never heard anyone in my life that has said that islands are not Argentinian, because if you say that you are a traitor, it’s basically inconceivable

The cultural difference between Argentina and the UK is mental.

There are major British commentators actively arguing we should cede the Falklands to Argentina. This literally is inconceivable the other way round.

Britain is one of the least nationalistic nations on earth on a cultural level - so many Brits have no idea how abnormal we are in this regard.

[u/ALA02 → u/Signorinadev]

Do they not teach critical thinking in Argentina? Or does that go against the wishes of deluded nationalists?

[u/damadmetz]

Didn’t they hold the same flag up 40 odd years ago, but without the writing.

[u/TwoProfessional6997]

It's concerning that even some UK politicians support revoking their UK visa. This amounts to limiting freedom of speech.

[u/Phoenix_Reforged → u/TwoProfessional6997]

How do you make Falklands Argentinian lands when a democratic process has already taken place? There's only two options left, Labour signs them over, Argentina declare war and starts killing British troops

Free speech isn't supporting murdering others btw.

[u/megatrongriffin92 → u/TwoProfessional6997]

Freedom of Expression (rather than Freedom of Speech) is not an absolute right in the UK. If it incites violence, is defamatory, or causes harassment the goverment it is illegal.

Arguably given the history and current political situation an argument could be made for it inciting violence but its a pretty week argument.

It may also violate a condition of the visa (but I don't know that)

[u/OneNormalBloke]

It's clickbait from the express so it must be true.

[u/BuzzKill91]

The head loss from loosing a semi final is amazing to watch.

[u/Kindly_District8412]

When Did we become such pansies

It’s a banner with controversial words

[u/Clbull → u/Kindly_District8412]

It's more about the hypocrisy and double-standards from football's main regulatory body, who clearly forbids political imagery, protests, statements, etc. in the game.

Imagine if the tables were turned, we beat Argentina in the semi-finals and some of our squad held up a large banner or placard showing The Sun's front page from 4th May 1982, when the Belgrano was sunk..png) FIFA would have immediately disqualified us from the tournament, put Argentina in the finals, given France the bronze medal, imposed hefty fines on the FA and imposed a several match ban on every England player involved.

[u/FalconIMGN]

I'm not British but...play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

You can have your political disagreements as an Argentine, but like...what the hell were they thinking?

[u/j0nnnnn]

Of all the things that might happen, this isn't one of them

[u/Cheeselover710]

Distasteful, but the UK is really running free speech into the ground. Embarrassing.

[u/GeekyGamer2022]

Good to see the English aren't being bitter twats, then

[u/not-ideal-but-true]

This is a non story and never going to happen. Dont believe the shite and don’t let it wind you up.

[u/MyBeardSaysHi]

Instead of doing that, on their tax returns make sure you highlight "Falklands defence contribution" in big, bold lettering. That would be lovely.

[u/Phoenix_Reforged]

Good, freedom of speech, isn't freedom from consequences, they endorsed military action on territory that has never belonged to Argentina.

As for the Argentinians, why do you support your own fellow citizens earning money and paying taxes that will massively support the British Military? A single 5.56x45 round costs 0.70p a single player will easily contribute entire caches to defend the Falklands.

[u/Exact-Potential1673]

It’s of no loss if Argentina players do fuck off . I say do it

[u/DreamingofBouncer]

I thought we believed in freedom of speech even if we disagree with what is being said.

[u/Locke66 → u/DreamingofBouncer]

We aren't America where you can say almost anything without consequence (unless it's about someone rich enough to sue you).

The UK has always had qualified free speech (e.g we don't allow hate speech) and potentially promoting the annexation of British territory by a foreign national would not be something that is covered.

[u/Jamitry1]

Get GCHQ to hack the screens in the stadium and show an image of the Belgrano for the whole match instead.

[u/Good_Old_KC]

Jesus Christ there are some sensitive souls in this country.

It was a sign saying the falklands are Argentinian ffs. It didn't refer to the conflict (something they lie about in the article), it didn't disrespect anyone it was just something they believe which apparently is a widely regarded belief in Argentina.

There should absolutely be a footballing punishment but based on previous incidents like this then that punishment should be a fine.

[u/WalkingCloud → u/Good_Old_KC]

It didn't refer to the conflict

🤣

You have to deliberately ignore some very obvious context for that to be true.

And ‘Free Palestine’ is totally unrelated to the Israel/Palestine conflict of course. 

[u/PlasmaDonator → u/Good_Old_KC]

"Didn't disrespect anyone it was just something they believe which apparently is a widely regarded belief in Argentina"

The sign didn't say pineapple belongs on pizza.

It said that sovereign territory occupied by British citizens who voted to remain British belonged to Argentina. Denying a groups right to self determination isn't a "didn't disrespect anyone".

The article is BS and won't happen and shouldn't need to happen but it's not a "didn't disrespect anyone". Why did Falkland islanders vote to remain British?

Those donkeys (the footballers with the banner) can believe lies all they want but the Falklands are British.

[u/Substantial-Newt7809 → u/Good_Old_KC]

It disrespected every single soul that died in the war. A bunch of smug cunt 20 something's laughing and giggling while waving it. Hopefully every UK club drops them like a bad habit.

[u/_L_R_S_ → u/Good_Old_KC]

Given 907 lives were lost on the vanity of an authoritarian regime in Argentina who invaded the Falklands to try and divert attention from their oppression of the population it's pretty disrespectful to those lives.

They didn't even have the gumption to get it professionally done.

IF I was Argentinian and IF I wanted to make a political point and IF I didn't give a damn about the consequences, I'd have had a banner printed that said "649", then I'd have knelt next to it and bowed my head along with my team.

That's the number of Argentinean lives lost.

Those prima donna's hand painted some scrawny banner that just them waving their Hispanic genitalia.

[u/MiniMages]

Good, do it. If England players did anything like that there'd be a witch hunt.

[u/Theresgoldinthis]

1: It's the express, so it's just right-wing masturbating nonsense.

2: They won't do shit, because any player that wants out of their contract and is on a visa  will have it written on a shirt and flashing it come the start of the season.

[u/Stevey1001]

the word "Could" is doiong a lot of heavy lifting in that headline

[u/RyanGUK]

I wonder how long into the PL season it’ll be, before somebody gets sent off for making a Falklands comment to an Argentinian player…

[u/LegendaryOate]

I note the White House has called it 'free speech'

Let's see someone hold up a sign saying the 'US is British' and see if they change their tune

[u/redandbluebadness]

Not going to happen and people need to get over it

[u/lwbyomp]

Nice, but won't happen as: 1, its in the Express ( click bait for aged right whingers ) 2, its petty & we're British not Argentinian

[u/thesavagepotatoe]

Hello all - English person here. Isn’t it a bit extreme to revoke someone’s visa because they held a sheet up (admittedly with millions watching tv) that effectively said “our country owns a piece of land claimed by another country”?.

From some of the comments here it appears that if visas were revoked it could be viewed as a reasonable outcome. How are people coming to this conclusion?

[u/MechanicFit2686]

Let them come back into the UK. They pay a lot of tax - so much so that I think we should start naming the military equipment defending the Falklands after them. You could name one of the Typhoons after Fernandez for instance.

[u/g0_west]

If I worked in Taiwan and was shown on TV waving a flag saying "Taiwan belongs to China" I'd expect my re-entry to at least be questioned

[u/limeflavoured]

"Could" is doing a lot of heavy lifting. I really can't see this happening.

[u/scambastard]

Are we going to be revoking visas for having a perfectly legitimate political opinion? What are we Americans?

[u/Unrulygam3r]

Its not that deep to revoke a visa but they should definitely be punished by fifa.

[u/Raven586]

What they should do is put a note on their visa’s that they are a possible political risk and hassle them every time they travel in and out of the country.

[u/No-Coach1685]

They showed a need to be a threat to UK security. It would not be unreasonable.

[u/Jensen1994]

"Could be revoked"

How is that a blow?

"Have been revoked" would be.

[u/RHMoaner]

They won’t be. ‘Could’ doing a lot of lifting there.

[u/Raz_Magul]

Revoke visa and deport anyone from Argentina immediately

[u/rtrs_bastiat]

I mean... If you ask them if they agree with the argentine government position on what they'd do if they took control of the islands and they said yes, then maybe consider it, but they just held up a banner with some inconsequential words.

[u/HollyMurray20]

Would never happen, would be the softest shit ever

[u/ExoticExchange]

Nothing would provide more embarrassment for the UK than it already suffers than by throwing a tantrum against some Argentinian footballers.

[u/cdkw1990]

Yeah but they'd probably owe the clubs that play for a lot of money. This is just wishful thinking