UK Political Row Over England-Argentina Flags

A political firestorm erupted in the UK after Portsmouth council removed England flags ahead of the semi-final and a Scottish Tory councillor told Scots to be 'ashamed' for supporting Argentina, invoking the Falklands War.

The incidents expose raw nerves over patriotism and historic grievances.

Portsmouth residents reported the flag removal to police, while the councillor’s comments drew sharp rebukes from Scottish fans and politicians alike.

Separately, Argentina’s vice president branded England ‘usurping pirates’ in a staggering Falklands rant, and FIFA banned Falklands imagery from the semi-final in coordination with US security authorities.