Following concerns for their safety, Argentinian footballers Lisandro Martinez, 28, from Manchester United, and Alexis Mac Allister, 27, from Liverpool, have engaged security teams to protect their homes in England.
On July 15, Argentina triumphed over England with a score of 2-1 in the World Cup semi-finals. The match was marked by tension, controversial incidents, and a political statement post-match when Martinez and several teammates displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas son argentinas,” which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentine.”
Security Measures for Martinez and Mac Allister
In light of possible reprisals due to their victory, both players took precautionary measures by hiring security teams to patrol their properties for two days, as reported by the tabloid The Sun.
Despite their fears, no incidents of vandalism have been reported. It is important to note that the match between England and Argentina carried significant weight not only because of the sporting rivalry but also due to historical tensions from the 1980s.
The Falklands War occurred in 1982, a military conflict between Argentina and Great Britain following Argentina’s invasion of the British territories of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands. The war lasted 74 days and ended with the surrender of Argentine troops, resulting in the loss of three civilians, 255 British military personnel, and 649 Argentine military personnel.
