Argentina are facing the threat of fresh FIFA disciplinary action after a Malvinas banner appeared during Lionel Messi’s farewell match against Benin, shortly after AFA was punished over similar incidents.
Argentina face new FIFA punishment threat immediately after Messi farewell
Argentina could face another disciplinary problem with FIFA immediately after Lionel Messi’s emotional farewell from international football.
The world champions defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental in Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
However, attention has quickly moved away from the emotional celebrations after a controversial banner appeared on the pitch before the match.
The message has raised concerns that the Argentine Football Association could once again come under FIFA investigation.
Controversial banner appears before Benin match
Before kick-off, a banner carrying the words “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” was displayed during the pre-match ceremony.
The message means “The Malvinas are Argentine” and refers to the long-running sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina.
Former Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana was invited to perform the national anthem as part of the ceremony.
Argentina players and head coach Lionel Scaloni were also seen close to the banner.
Why FIFA could become involved
The main concern for Argentina is that FIFA has already acted over a similar situation.
During the 2026 World Cup, Argentina players displayed the same Malvinas message following their victory over England.
FIFA later opened disciplinary proceedings against AFA.
One of the issues investigated involved the use of a sporting event for activities or messages considered non-sporting under FIFA’s disciplinary rules.
That previous case means the latest incident could receive extra attention from football’s governing body.
Argentina were already punished by FIFA
AFA was later handed sanctions worth a total of around $321,000 following several incidents at the 2026 World Cup.
Those sanctions covered multiple offences, including team misconduct, crowd behaviour, security issues and the use of football events for non-sporting activities.
Argentina were also ordered to play two home matches with reduced stadium capacity following discrimination-related incidents.
However, it is important to note that the full $321,000 punishment was not only for the Malvinas banner.
The amount covered several separate disciplinary issues.
Same message appears again
The latest controversy has attracted attention because the same political message appeared again so soon after Argentina’s previous FIFA case.
British media quickly highlighted the incident, while Argentine outlets also reported that AFA could face further disciplinary action.
The timing makes the situation particularly sensitive.
Argentina had only recently dealt with FIFA sanctions, but the same issue has now returned during one of the most important nights in the national team’s history.
No new FIFA punishment yet
There is one major clarification.
FIFA has not yet announced a new punishment against Argentina over the Benin match.
There has also been no official confirmation that a new disciplinary case has been opened.
For now, Argentina are facing the possibility of further action rather than a confirmed new sanction.
That means reports claiming Argentina have already been punished again would be premature.
Messi farewell overshadowed by controversy
The situation has created another unwanted story around Messi’s farewell.
Argentina had hoped the night would focus entirely on celebrating the end of one of the greatest international careers in football history.
Messi scored once and provided two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in front of more than 85,000 supporters.
But the banner controversy has now created questions about what could happen next off the pitch.
AFA now waits for FIFA response
AFA will now have to wait to see whether FIFA decides to examine the incident.
If disciplinary proceedings are opened, Argentina’s previous record could become an important part of the case.
The fact that the same message has appeared again could potentially increase the seriousness of the situation.
For now, there is no confirmed new punishment, but the risk of another FIFA problem is very real.
Messi’s Argentina career may have ended with an emotional victory, but the national team could already be facing its first major controversy of the post-Messi era.
