If you looked at a map, you could be forgiven for assuming that the people of the Falkland Islands will be supporting Messi and co against England in their World Cup semi-final tonight. After all, Argentina is the Falklands’ closest neighbour, a mere 300 miles across the Atlantic. In contrast, England is a gruelling 20-hour plane journey away via a stopover in Ascension Island.
The Islanders will be among England’s biggest fans in this evening’s game
Not only that, but the Islanders appreciate great footballers – the sort that Argentina has excelled at producing. But geography and admiration for great footballers pale into insignificance when set against the events of the last few decades. And it won’t surprise anyone with any knowledge of Falklands history to hear that the Islanders will be among England’s biggest fans this evening.
Dan Biggs, the Falklands football manager, told me earlier this week: “Training is cancelled. We’ll be glued to our televisions and the pubs and bars of Stanley will be filled with Islanders cheering on the England team. Last Saturday, youth players were celebrating like Bellingham after scoring – it’s great that they have such impressive role models.”
Yes, in part, such enthusiasm is because so many Islanders have English ancestry, reflected in the 2013 referendum that saw 99.8 per cent of voters opting to maintain British sovereignty. You can’t get more decisive than that.
