The Falkland Islands Government has called on FIFA to take action against Argentina’s national team after players displayed a controversial "Malvinas" banner following their World Cup semi-final victory over England.

As Argentina’s squad celebrated their dramatic 2-1 win, cameras captured several players posing with a flag carrying the message "The Falkland Islands are Argentine".

The display prompted criticism in Britain, with Downing Street saying: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are."

Now, the Falkland Islands Government has written to FIFA urging the governing body to consider disciplinary action against the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

Jack Ford, a member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, described the incident as a "clear political statement regarding the sovereignty" of the islands.

He wrote: "Videos were also leaked following their Argentina vs Egypt fixture in which the Argentinian squad sang chants about the Falkland Islands in their locker rooms.

"We are disappointed, though regrettably not surprised, by this manner of action, as this is not the first such incident."

Mr Ford pointed to the AFA being fined £20,000 by FIFA in 2014 after Argentina players held up a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" during a friendly match against Slovenia.

He called on FIFA to show "consistency" in applying its own rules, referring to the governing body's statutes and disciplinary code, which prohibit political, religious and personal messages at matches, reports GB News.

Mr Ford said Falkland Islanders affected by the display had a "settled, democratic position" on the territory’s status.

He wrote: "The Falkland Islands are a diverse, self-governing, self-funding British Overseas Territory, and engage internationally in sport, science, and humanitarian work as such.

"In the 2013 referendum on our political status, 99.8 per cent of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory, on a turnout of approximately 92 per cent, in a vote independently monitored by international observers."

He added that the display was particularly insensitive because of the lasting impact of Argentina’s 1982 invasion of the islands on the local population.

Following Argentina’s semi-final victory, President Javier Milei wrote: "While some are busy throwing tantrums befitting a terminally mononeuronal teenager, we, through the diplomatic route, are getting closer every day to the recovery of the Malvinas Islands, Georgias, and South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime space."

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the incident showed Britain needed to strengthen its defence capabilities.

He wrote on social media: "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."

FIFA has confirmed its independent disciplinary committee is assessing the incident and considering whether any further action is required.

A spokesman for football’s governing body said: "As is standard procedure, Fifa's Independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the Fifa Disciplinary Code."

It remains unclear whether FIFA’s assessment will be completed before Argentina’s next match on Sunday.

The Falkland Islands have been at the centre of a long-running sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina.

Argentina’s military junta invaded the islands in 1982, but British forces retook the territory after a 74-day conflict.

A total of 649 Argentines, 255 British military and three islanders died during the failed attempt to seize the islands.