By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – FIFA has warned Argentina that provocatively renaming its domestic championship after the General Belgrano battleship sunk by Britain during the 1982 Falklands War could breach its statutes.
Tensions between the two countries have intensified in recent days both because of the approaching 30-year anniversary in April of the start of the 10-week conflict and by oil exploration in the seas surrounding the South Atlantic islands which Argentina calls Las Malvinas.
The Argentine Government have also been angered by the recent arrival in the Falklands of Prince William on a six-week tour of duty with his RAF Search and Rescue Squadron.
The General Belgrano was sunk with the loss of 323 Argentina lives in 1982 and Argentina plans to rename their top division the Crucero General Belgrano First Division.
But FIFA say this may break rules over political involvement in football and have asked for clarification.
“FIFA contacted AFA (Argentine Football Association) with regards to a potential change of name of the Liga de Primera División,” a FIFA statement said.
“According to media reports, the league was set to be named after ‘Crucero General Belgrano’.
“FIFA has requested the AFA to provide further information on this matter, and reminded the AFA of article three of the FIFA statutes which prohibits any kind of discrimination against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason.
“A potential change of name of the Liga de Primera División would clearly infringe the above mentioned article and could be sanctioned in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.”
AFA President Julio Grondona (pictured), in a somewhat awkward position since he is also a FIFA vice-president, backed off when asked if he realised FIFA could sanction his federation.
“I don’t know about that situation,” Grondona said when approached by local reporters.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734832918labto1734832918ofdlr1734832918owedi1734832918sni@w1734832918ahsra1734832918w.wer1734832918dna1734832918
Related stories
October 2011: Grondona apologises for contemptuous attack on FA
June 2011: Argentina put the boot in as England left humiliated by FIFA again