FIFA fines Argentina for protest banner

ZURICH (AP) FIFA has reprimanded the Argentine soccer association and fined it $33,000 after its players were pictured with a political banner before a World Cup warmup match.

Several players stood behind the slogan ''Las Malvinas son Argentinas'' (The Falklands are Argentine) on the field at a June 7 exhibition against Slovenia in Buenos Aires.

Argentina and Britain went to war in 1982 over the Falkland Islands, called the Malvinas in Spanish. The islands have been a British territory since 1833.

FIFA rules prohibit political statements at matches it controls.

It's the second time this month FIFA has fined the Argentine body. A $340,000 fine was ordered for failing to bring Argentina players to pre-match news conferences at the World Cup.