Overview
- After the World Cup final on 18 July, Horan was seen to have liked an Instagram carousel that mocked Argentina and ended with an image reading “Las Malvinas son Españolas.”
- Argentine fans publicly criticised the like, with some accusing Horan of insulting Argentina and saying he had shown hostility toward local supporters.
- Horan replied on X on 22 July calling the action an “honest mistake,” saying he did not remember liking the post and that he has “nothing but love for Argentina and all my fans there.”
- FIFA has said its independent Disciplinary Committee is assessing match reports under the FIFA Disciplinary Code, providing the formal context for potential action over political messages connected to the tournament.
- The Falkland Islands (Malvinas) remain a deeply sensitive issue between Argentina and the UK, and past incidents involving the slogan ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ have drawn fines and disciplinary measures for the Argentine association.