Nigel Farage erupts at Argentinian players over Falklands banner - 'disgusted!'

Nigel Farage said he was "disgusted" after Argentinian players waved a Falkland Islands banner after last night's World Cup match against England. Some players held a banner which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates to "The Falkland Islands are Argentinian", as they revelled in their 2-1 win over the Three Lions in the semi-final.

In a post on X, the Reform leader said: "Whilst I am disgusted at the behaviour of some Argentinian players last night, the most important thing to do is build up the Royal Navy quickly."

The banner, referring to the dispute over the British overseas territory, was initially brandished by jubilant Argentinian fans before it made its way onto the pitch.

But players could face the prospect of disciplinary action from governing body Fifa for violating rules banning political messaging on the pitch.

Cabinet minister Peter Kyle also branded the move as "entirely inappropriate".

The Business Secretary told BBC Breakfast: "My reaction is that it was entirely inappropriate.

"Politics needs to be separate from football.

"In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football.

"That is now a matter for Fifa. I expect Fifa to do its investigation thoroughly."

He continued: "We expect Fifa to undertake an investigation into this.

"I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football."