New Delhi, July 18 -- The White House reportedly defended the Argentinian FIFA team's right to free speech after they controversially waved a banner in support of their country's territorial claim to the Falkland Islands while celebrating their World Cup win against England.

When asked whether players were in the wrong, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA task force, said on Friday that the team had the opportunity and ability to "make those statements" in the US.

According to the BBC, Giuliani referenced free speech protections in the US Constitution, saying: "We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America."

Argentina's players stirred up a controversy when they held up a banner reading "Las Ma...