AFA to establish ‘National Football Teams Day’ for 15 July
Post-match celebrations saw Falklands banner displayed
Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England last month is being commemorated by the country’s football association.
The Argentinian football association (AFA) has established 15 July – the date of the 2-1 win in Atlanta – as its ‘National Football Teams Day’, following a meeting of its executive board on Wednesday.
“The date was chosen to commemorate Argentina’s historic victory over England in the World Cup semi-final,” an article on the AFA’s official website stated. “Lionel Scaloni’s team was trailing the English side by a single goal, but with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, they turned the game around, sending the entire nation into a frenzy of celebration.
“But the tribute isn’t just for that milestone achieved by the senior national team. The recognition, of course, also extends to each and every one of the national teams [youth, men’s and women’s, futsal, beach soccer, and field football], who train daily at the Lionel Andres Messi training complex with the hope, joy and responsibility of representing Argentina.”
Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the AFA over the displaying of a banner by players at the end of that match proclaiming the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina.
Argentina players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina are also being investigated by Fifa over their involvement in the brawl which followed the 1-0 defeat by Spain in the World Cup final on 19 July. The team’s assistant coach, Roberto Ayala, is also being investigated in relation to that incident.
