Lionel Scaloni, Victoria Villarruel, England and Argentina
Wednesday before the World Cup semi-final
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said football and politics should not be mixed before the World Cup semi-final against England. His calmer message contrasted with vice-president Victoria Villarruel, who framed the match around the Falklands dispute and Argentina’s national claims.
The comments came after extra security was planned in Atlanta because of historical tensions between both countries. Scaloni urged respect for the past and focus on football, while Villarruel’s post added political heat to an already charged semi-final.