The former footballer arrested at the Malvinas for waving the Argentine flag and sang the national anthem: "We live in a very tense situation" – 26/03/2019

Luis Alberto Escobedo is a former footballer born in Santiago del Estero 57 years ago. He went through many Argentine football teams. From the ascent (Los Andes, Temperley and South Dock). First division (Vélez, Belgrano de Córdoba and Colon). And he even played abroad (Santiago Wanderers, Chile). But a non-sporting event marked his life forever.

Beyond his football experience, the Falklands War has left an indelible mark. At the age of 19 – while he was performing his military service – he was transferred to the islands and fought against the British forces. He never forgot those terrible days.

For this reason, he always expresses his experiences and is present in all memories. Last week, he went for the third time in a row to the Falkland Islands, with seven other ex-combatants returning for the first time. The intention was to pay tribute to the Argentine soldiers who died in the war

"Last Tuesday, we went to Darwin Cemetery, located in an inhospitable and deserted area, about 60 km from the city." We made a minute of silence, then we sang the Argentinian anthem and threw phrases like Long live the country!… Also, I showed a flag that I always wear with the image of the islands and the phrase Argentine territory. At that time, an Austrian journalist was in the cemetery and had arrived in a car driven by a kelper who was watching us closely ", Escobedo told him Clarín, who returned to Buenos Aires this Sunday.

The surprise would come the next day, while Escobedo and his companions would fall asleep. "Very early, the police arrived and, piece by piece, They took out our pbadports, cell phones, cameras, clothes and other personal items. They detained us for two days and treated us like criminals. They took our digital prints and took pictures of us in front and in profile. All because the kelper driver had denounced us for "insults and insults". But nothing to do, we only honor the memory of our people without offending anyone, "he says, still moved, the former footballer.

"After declaring during these two days, and with the uncertainty that we could continue to be imprisoned longer, they acquitted us. The judge dismissed the complaint, but we live in a very tense situation"said the former footballer who currently plays in Temperley's senior team and the Argentinian national team over 50 years old.

The flag of Escobedo was one of the elements removed and the former defender found it with the same intensity as in his football career. "The English, not the kelp, have understood that the flag is sacred, in the sense that the army hears", he said.

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Escobedo points out that "the English army understood us and did not accept, and even advised the Argentine government to talk to the seawings to lower the decibels." Fortunately, everything went well, but it must not happen any more, and other Argentineans who come do not suffer the same thing as us. "

JCh.