So FIFA is going to take action against the Argentinian players for unfurling their “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” banner after beating England in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final. The act was a clear violation of the Federation’s rules about politicizing the game.

Typically, however, any fines or suspensions will come into force after the final is out of the way on Sunday – meaning the punishments will be all but pointless. Cue more wild conspiracy theories about FIFA’s closeness to Argentina, the Nazis and the Masons, and goodness knows what else.

Sane people probably realize that it’s not worth getting too het up about what a bunch of overpaid, talented but dishonorable sports stars think about the Falkland Islands, which have belonged to Britain for two centuries. But there are some interesting geopolitical subplots behind the current row.

There is a bubbling fury towards Britain for its reluctance to support the latest western misadventure in the Middle East

There is a bubbling fury towards Britain for its reluctance to support the latest western misadventure in the Middle East

The North Falklands Basin is fossil-fuel rich, and the exploration of its “Sea Lion” field is about to begin, with possible production coming “on stream” as soon as early 2028. Sea Lion could, it is thought, produce up to a billion barrels of oil, which would significantly boost the economy of the Falklands, as well as making huge profits for the two companies which have invested in the project: Navitas Petroleum, an Israeli group, holds a 65 percent stake in the operations, while Rockhopper Exploration, a UK-based company (with significant Israeli interests) has 35 percent.

The Israeli government has sought to distance itself from Navitas, following complaints from its ally Argentina about the Sea Lion project. “This is a private company and not an........

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