According to Tycsports, Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia, in an exclusive interview, criticized online conspiracy theories targeting the Argentine team and defended the players' display of the Falkland Islands flag after their semi-final victory over England.
The president of the Argentine Football Association believes there has been a persistent media campaign targeting the national team, including criticisms such as people only looking at the fans and not the Spanish players during the final trophy presentation. "I feel very uncomfortable; it feels like someone doesn't want Argentina to play well. The people celebrating in the streets also seem to upset some people. They're constantly targeting the Argentine team. There are different tactics used in every match," Tapia said.
Tapia's words echoed the statements made by the Argentine players and coaching staff after the team finished as runners-up. Lisandro Martinez, speaking from his hometown of Guareguai, said, "I have mixed feelings because it's obvious they have no reason to create that kind of hatred." Lionel Scaloni also expressed his pain at this malicious smear campaign against the national team. In a social media statement, he wrote in all capitals, "We have to endure the cold water being poured on us, cold water from people who don't even know us."
Regarding the various rumors surrounding the final, Facundo Medina, upon returning to Vilacalaza, directly denied all doubts. "Don't believe that nonsense. We were very upset about the loss and in poor form, so some teammates didn't come. Of course I know that's wrong, because it's just a football match; there are more important things in life," said the new Bayer Leverkusen signing.
On their road to the runner-up position, Argentina also defeated England 2-1, a victory made all the more special by the history between the two teams. Tapia said: "This match carried a lot of weight before it started. Rulli told me we would win. The players didn't want to let the fans down. It was a must-win game. England's significance is just as great as the Qatar final. The fans have never felt so happy. For seven years, this team has truly earned people's respect."
Tapia did not overlook the players' celebration of holding flags claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and he defended this action after facing criticism. "That match brought a long-dormant topic back into the international diplomatic arena. People from over 30 countries were asking: 'If the Falkland Islands are called the Falkland Islands, but they clearly belong to Argentina, why are they called that?'"
Because this action quickly became an iconic image in Argentina, FIFA has opened a case, which could lead to penalties. Tapia also explained the situation, admitting that if he were in the players' shoes, he would have made the same choice: "We saw some public statements saying that we couldn't bring them in, but this was actually what the fans did. That's how it happened, without any preparation, and FIFA didn't have anything either; they only sent a case filing document four or five days ago."
“There was no penalty notice, no warning. Quite the opposite. If you were playing for Argentina in that match, and the fans were expressing their feelings with that flag, what would you do? Put it on the ground, or hold it up? I would hold it up, because we are Argentinians, and we are proud of it,” Tapia said.
