Argentine vice president calls England 'pirates' before World Cup semi-final

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina Vice President Victoria Villarruel used strongly worded language about England ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between the two countries, describing the English as usurpers in a post on X.

Villarruel wrote that the match carried meaning beyond football as Argentina prepared to face England. She said the contest was tied to the long-running dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic.

In her post, she wrote, "Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. It's not just another match."

She followed that with another message in which she rejected a restrained approach to the fixture, writing:

I'm not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head - it's always something more against the English.

Villarruel also invoked Argentine football icons and the islands dispute in the same message, saying:

It's the Malvinas, it's Diego, it's Leo's last run, and it's about stopping the invaders in their tracks.

She ended with a rallying message that echoed a chant associated with Argentine supporters during the tournament:

Go Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!

Political backdrop to football rivalry

The semi-final comes amid the unresolved sovereignty dispute between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands. Villarruel's father fought in the 1982 Falklands War, which was fought between Argentina's military dictatorship and the United Kingdom over the South Atlantic territory.

The 74-day war ended with a British victory. 649 Argentines and 255 Britons were killed in the conflict.

Different tone from team officials

Villarruel's comments contrasted with the position taken by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players, who sought to reduce the political and historical framing around the match.

Scaloni said, "It's a football match, plain and simple. So, mixing the two would be madness."

Separately, Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva said on Tuesday that under the security plan for the semi-final in Atlanta, fans would be barred from bringing flags or other items referring to the Falkland Islands into the stadium.