FIFA continues to turn a blind eye to continued references to the Falklands by the Argentina’s players. Last week, Daily Mail Sport asked the governing body if it would be taking any action after footage shared online by the Argentina football association showed the group celebrating in their dressing room post-match and belting out the song Muchachos, which includes the line ‘for the Malvinas’, Argentina’s name for the South Atlantic islands it invaded in 1982 to trigger a war which claimed the lives of 907 people.
After their extra-time quarter-final win over Switzerland 38-year-old defender Nicolas Otamendi shared footage on his Instagram of him and his fellow players again belting out the anthem.
Again, FIFA declined to comment.
Argentina sang a song about the Falkland Islands to taunt England after beating Switzerland
City’s Miami presence
The FA friends and families section was a who’s who in Miami, with a host of big names cheering on England, including Love Island presenter and DJ Maya Jama. The more eagle-eyed of Three Lions supporters noticed Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who happily chatted with punters. Al Mubarak – who will also be in attendance at Wednesday’s semi-final – may have had split loyalties. While England’s starting line-up included Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and the recently-departed John Stones, City talisman Erling Haaland endured a miserable night with the Norwegians.
Tequila trouble
One reporter got an early reminder of why Miami really is the party capital of the US as soon as they arrived at their hotel room in South Beach. The exhausted correspondent checked in after a long day travelling and immediately reached for the bottle of water next to the coffee machine. After taking a large swig, our man suddenly realised that the clear content of the bottle was actually heavy proof tequila – and not the refreshing agua he had expected. The resultant coughing and spluttering could be heard in neighbouring rooms, according to hotel insiders.
After the shock had subdued the reporter was quick to head to reception, where he told them that they must be the only hotel in the world that places a bottle of white tequila in such a spot, and asked that he not be charged the requisite $50 for breaking the seal. An apologetic receptionist agreed not to make him pay – and told him one previous guest had previously filled her coffee machine with it.
Taxi incidents
The standard of driving in some US cities has to be seen to be believed, as three members of the travelling press pack can testify. One reporter was in a late-night Uber in Kansas City the day after England’s win in Mexico City when it was at the centre of a hit and run. The journalist needed tests and hospital treatment but was, thankfully, well enough to travel to Miami for the quarter-final. Following England’s win over Norway, two reporters from this newspaper were in another Uber which performed a dangerous U-turn and ploughed into another car. Fortunately, both did not require medical attention.
Paddy Power goes Argentinian
Paddy Power’s humorous anti-English videos will continue after the Three Lions’ progression. Proud Scots Graeme Souness, Gordon Strachan and Charlie Nicholas have starred in ads in which they have pretended to be patriotic Mexicans and Norwegians during England’s World Cup run. Inside Sport understands the Irish bookie hedged its bets by filming a Switzerland and Argentina version ahead of the semi-final. Hopefully we get to see them in French or Spanish getup.
Mata’s next venture
Manchester United progressed with their stadium plans this week, but it was interesting to see that one of the club’s finest former players has signed for a rival architect. Juan Mata has penned a deal with Kansas City-based global venue designers Populous. Spaniard Mata will become special advisor on football and training with the firm, who lost out to Foster + Partners in the battle to develop the initial plans for a new, 100,000-seat stadium.
