Keir Starmer calls for Fifa to investigate Argentina players holding Falklands banner as he defiantly declares: 'The Falkland Islands are ours!'

Keir Starmer has called for Fifa to investigate Argentina players after the squad unfurled a "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" flag just moments after knocking England out of the World Cup.

As jubilant players celebrated their dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory, cameras captured several members of the South American squad posing with the banner, which translates as "The Falkland Islands are Argentine."

The jibe has created a stir across Britain, which has reached as far as Downing Street.

No10 said in a statement: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are."

The response comes shortly after Nigel Farage demanded Britain needs to build up the Royal Navy, writing: "Whilst I am disgusted at the behaviour of some Argentinian players last night, the most important thing to do is build up the Royal Navy quickly."

The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also took to social media to write: "The Falkland Islands are British.

Argentina are now at risk of a Fifa fine or alternative punishment.

Speaking to GB News this morning, Andrew Griffith, the Conservative Shadow Business Secretary, called the stunt "completely unacceptable" and urged the governing body to impose a punishment before the end of the tournament.

Mr Griffith said: "British lives were lost defending our sovereign territory, 255 sons and daughters, families that lost their loved ones."

He slammed the player’s actions as “completely unacceptable” and reminded that “99 per cent of the Falkland Islanders have voted to remain British”.

In response to the stunt, the Tory Business Secretary called on Fifa to reprimand the Argentinians.

“This is against Fifa’s rules,” he insisted, demanding "action this day".

“Fifa in the past has fined Britain for wearing poppies on their shirts. They've suspended Spanish players for calling for Gibraltar to be part of Spain.

“Whether it's fines or suspensions, this cannot wait until the end of the tournament. It is incredibly important that they send that signal that this behaviour was unacceptable.

“Unfortunately, we lost on the night. But democracy and self-determination can't be the losers,” Mr Griffith said.

The archipelago was first reached by English explorers more than a century before Argentina became an independent state.

The Falklands had no permanent population before the British arrived.

Argentina's military junta invaded the Falklands in 1982, but were seen off in just 74 days by the British Armed Forces.

A total of 649 Argentines died trying to take over the British territory.