Source: Politics<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES \u2014 Some of the most powerful Latino politicians in the United States were invited to wear their favorite soccer jerseys. But few chose Argentina\u2019s Abiceleste.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mayor Frank Figueroa of Coachella, California said his feelings toward Argentina as a \u201cLatin American country\u201d (in finger quotes) were so strong, he was willing to back England, the team that knocked out Mexico \u2014 where Figueroa traces his heritage \u2014 in a contentious quarterfinal match.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust by looking at their soccer team. For me, it\u2019s like who\u2019s playing on the soccer team compared to all the other Latin American countries who had the people playing on their team,\u201d said Figueroa. \u201cThat is a big thing for me. They all look European.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the World Cup semi-finals coinciding with one of the country\u2019s largest gatherings for Latino policymakers, organizers of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials annual conference embraced the timing. They have scheduled Telemundo World Cup watch parties in a hotel ballroom and are selling NALEO soccer jerseys<\/a> to celebrate the organization\u2019s 50th anniversary. Multicolored soccer jerseys \u2014 most commonly the green of Mexico\u2019s El Tri \u2014 were scattered among the polished suits and business-casual attire in the conference venue.<\/p>\n But the absence of support for the tournament\u2019s only remaining Latin American team was notable. In fact, it was easier today to spot England\u2019s colors than Argentina\u2019s hours before the two countries faced off in Atlanta.<\/p>\n Argentina\u2019s history of blanqueamiento policies encouraging mass European migration, sanctuary for Nazis after World War II and its \u201cgenocide\u201d against Afro-Argentines contributes to the \u201csystemic problems and challenges\u201d in Argentina\u2019s history, said Karina Moreno, a councilmember representing Palm Desert, California. It\u2019s a history that Moreno said continues the \u201cfallacy\u201d of superiority from Argentina to other Latin American countries.<\/p>\n Animosity towards Argentina was compounded after Argentine media personality Eduardo Feinmann said he \u201cdetested Mexicans\u201d<\/a> in on-air comments after Mexico\u2019s tournament exit last week. Feinmann went on to describe \u201cthe envy the Mexicans feel for us Argentines, not just in football, but in everything.\u201d The ensuing controversy escalated with a public rebuke<\/a> from Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the first time, and it validates what we\u2019re talking about,\u201d Moreno said, referring to the incident.<\/p>\n The behavior of Argentina fans has also come under scrutiny, with FIFA opening an investigation<\/a> into a supporter\u2019s alleged racist abuse of American streamer IShowSpeed during the team\u2019s victory against Cape Verde earlier this month. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan\u2019s made FIFA\u2019s designated gesture to report racist abuse \u2014 a crossed-arm \u201cX\u201d gesture<\/a> \u2014 against Argentina..<\/p>\n Salta Lake City councilmember Alejandro Puy, a Salt Lake City councilmember sported one of the rare Argentina jerseys. Raised in Buenos Aires, he says \u201crivalries are expected\u201d between countries in soccer.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately we are all brothers and sisters of this continent and we stand by it,\u201d Puy said, though he still says there\u2019s \u201cno doubt\u201d Argentina has the best team in Latin America.<\/p>\n Though he said he appreciated the Latino camaraderie in the conference, Puy was headed to Argentina\u2019s Consulate in Los Angeles to watch the game and not feel \u201ca little alone.\u201d<\/p>\n