Nicky Butt criticises Martínez over Falkland Islands banner and calls for accountability

Nicky Butt, the former Manchester United star, has sharply criticized Argentina's Lisandro Martínez, the English team's defender, for his involvement in raising a controversial banner regarding the Falkland Islands following his country's victory over England in the Semi-Final of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

This situation has come to the forefront amid the pressures Martínez is facing due to his declining performances with Manchester United since the start of the season, coinciding with the team's drop to 17th place in the Premier League under Michael Carrick.

The incident dates back to July, when Argentine defender Lisandro Martínez participated with a group of his national team players in raising a banner related to the dispute over the Falkland Islands, following Argentina's victory over England in the Semi-Final of the FIFA World Cup. This sparked a wave of criticism.

Lisandro Martínez has not only faced controversies surrounding him, as he previously stirred debate by criticizing Manchester United's management over their transfer policy, following the team's loss to Atlético by two goals to nil last month.

Amid ongoing criticism directed at him for his performance with the team, Niki Butt has reignited controversy over his previous actions, considering that his participation in raising the banner warrants accountability. This issue adds to the pressures surrounding Argentine defender Lisandro Martínez during this period.