Argentina accuses British warship of illegal incursion hours after World Cup semi-final

The islands are back in the spotlight

While the complaint was only made public last night, it relates to an incident earlier in July.

Last night saw two old rivals go head to head as Argentina knocked out England from the World Cup in the semi-finals.

There was no love lost either on the pitch as multiple confrontations broke out while the Argentinian players unfurled a banner which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentinian) after the game.

Argentina players hold up a banner with their 'Malvinas' banner. Credit: Getty.

However, it would appear that hostilities haven't just been confined to the pitch as just hours after the semi-final, Argentina submitted a formal complaint to the UK over an alleged incursion into sovereign waters.

Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno claimed that HMS Medway made an "unauthorised" transit through Argentine territorial waters earlier this month.

HMS Medway arrived as the Royal Navy's permanently deployed presence in the South Atlantic in January this year.

HMS Medway at an arms fair. Credit: Getty.

Medway's role is to sail around the archipelago, provide reassurance to its citizens, enforce fishery protection regulations, work with the RAF and Army, and carry out general maritime security operations.

It is worth noting that the Falklands have been under British sovereignty since 1833 and, in 2013, 99.8% of the population voted to remain a British overseas territory.

In fact, the French were the first to settle the islands back in 1764 before selling up to Spain three years later.

Britain had its first settlement in 1766, 50 years before Argentina was even a country.

Argentina has never legally owned the islands.

The full statement

The full statement read: "On the instructions of Foreign Minister Quirino, a formal note of protest was submitted on July 13 to the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, expressing the strongest rejection of the movements of the vessel HMS Medway, 'illegal in nature and carried out in the Malvinas Islands,' which were not properly notified in accordance with the current bilateral agreements and declarations, and which involved transit through Argentine territorial waters.

"This unilateral action constitutes a violation of the commitments undertaken by both governments in the Joint Declaration of September 25, 1991, which replaced Annexes I, II, III, and IV of the Joint Declaration issued in Madrid on February 15, 1990, in Section I.2, 'Measures to strengthen confidence,' point 'b' (text according to the Joint Declaration issued in Buenos Aires and London on July 12, 1993).

"The Argentine Government firmly rejects this British military incursion into areas under Argentine jurisdiction, which adds to an ongoing policy of unilateral actions incompatible with United Nations resolutions and with the obligation of both parties to refrain from altering the situation while the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved.

"Such unauthorised and illegal movements violate the bilateral commitments concerning confidence-building measures in the military sphere that are in force between the two countries, while also adding to the long series of unilateral actions carried out by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in violation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 31/49, which calls upon both parties to refrain from adopting decisions that would introduce unilateral changes to the situation in the Malvinas Islands while the sovereignty dispute remains pending resolution.

"Far from creating the conditions of trust and understanding required for a mature bilateral relationship, these actions deepen tensions in the South Atlantic, disregard the repeated mandate of the international community, and hinder Argentine efforts to advance toward a peaceful and negotiated solution to the dispute.

"The Argentine Republic once again reaffirms its legitimate and imprescriptible sovereign rights over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas.

"By history, by law, and by conviction, the Malvinas are Argentine."

Islands back in the spotlight

Falkland Islands. Image: Adobe Stock

All this comes in the backdrop of a hostile attitude from many Argentinian politicians reigniting their claims to the islands.

Just yesterday, Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel took to social media to lay into England, hours before the two countries face off in a World Cup semi-final. 

Villarruel, whose father served during the Falklands War, has been outspoken on the issue on the islands' sovereignty in the past. 

Writing on X, Villarruel said: "Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. 

"This isn't just another match. I'm not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it's always something more. 

"It's the Malvinas, it's Diego, it's Leo's [Messi] last one, go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we're going to claim what's ours!”

Keir Starmer has already responded to Argentinian claims in the last few days, saying that only the people of the Falklands have the ability to decide their future.

His spokesperson said: "The Falkland islanders are British with a right to determine their own future.

"The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory, and their right to self-determination is paramount.”

So, while it would be easier to decide the geopolitical matters through the means of sports, it's unlikely that the winner of today's match will decide the fate of the islands, however, it certainly might get spicy on the pitch.