Alexis Mac Allister's mother admits to England cluelessness with Falklands chant point
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Ahead of the World Cup semi-final, Alexis Mac Allister's mother Silvina Riela has spoken about how his Premier League career transformed her once-negative view of the countryAlexis Mac Allister is aiming to win the World Cup for a second time(Image: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))Alexis Mac Allister's mother has revealed that her son's spell in the Premier League completely changed her previously negative view of England.The Liverpool midfielder is poised to represent Argentina in a World Cup semi-final clash with England on Wednesday. The dispute revolved around the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory which Argentina continues to lay claim to and refers to as the Malvinas.The Argentina squad referenced the Falklands following their quarter-final triumph over Switzerland, chanting in the changing room, "For the Malvinas, For Diego [Maradona], For Leo's [Messi's] last one."The players have additionally joined fans in performing an anti-English chant that has featured in Argentinian football tradition for decades, "And you see it, and you see it, anyone who doesn't jump is an Englishman."The soccer player is preparing to face England at the World Cup(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)This context influenced how Silvina Riela, the mother of Liverpool's Mac Allister, perceived the nation before her son relocated to England.
In my ignorance, I used to say, 'I hope we never end up in England,'" she said on Radio Mitre's 'Alguien tiene que decirlo' programme."But now that I've experienced it, everything has changed, even the way I see the people. I can't join in on that; I don't participate in that part," she laughed.Mac Allister is targeting back-to-back World Cup triumphs and has started all six of Argentina's fixtures at the tournament to date.
"Obviously, we also realise that this isn't the fault of their people or ours, but rather those in positions of power, so we shouldn't conflate the two."I have a lot of respect for [England]; I've been there for six years now, and they've always treated me incredibly well. From a footballing perspective, there's no doubt they want to beat us at all costs, and it's going to be a very tough match."So now, the task is to prepare the best we can; while there is mutual respect, it's going to be a great battle out on the pitch."