World Cup: Argentine president to deport foreigners over ‘hate’ speech against Argentines
Argentine President Javier Milei on Thursday signed an emergency decree empowering the government to deny entry to or expel foreigners who incite discrimination or violence against Argentines because of their nationality.
Milei’s office said the decree was issued after weeks of mounting criticism from celebrities, rival fans and social media users, who claimed a series of controversial refereeing decisions had fueled suspicions that FIFA favored Argentina and its superstar, Lionel Messi, throughout the tournament.
The measure adds new grounds to Argentina’s immigration law, allowing authorities to bar, deport and revoke visas of people found to have promoted hatred against Argentines in spoken or written statements or who have desecrated national symbols.
“In light of recent displays of hostility toward the Argentine Republic and Argentines, the national government reaffirms that the defense of the nation, its citizens and its symbols is non-negotiable,” the president’s office said. “Anyone who attacks the Argentine Republic is not welcome in our country.”
FIFA, global soccer’s governing body, on Wednesday opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association over the scuffle, as well as over alleged racist abuse and fan misconduct. Players also faced a FIFA investigation into their parading of a banner that asserted Argentina’s claim to the British-controlled Falkland Islands after the team’s semifinal victory over England.
Milei, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has described the torrent of criticism as a coordinated “anti-Argentina campaign.”
He alleged without evidence last week that the left-wing governments of Brazil and Mexico and the U.S. Democratic Party had financed the campaign to undermine his right-wing libertarian administration. That helped trigger a diplomatic crisis with neighboring Brazil, which recalled its ambassador to Argentina over the accusations and Milei’s insults against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva