Samuel L. Jackson urges boycott of Argentina soccer team

Actor Samuel L. Jackson called for a boycott of Argentina's national soccer team during the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, sparking widespread debate over racism, sportsmanship, and national identity. Jackson, 77, reposted a message on his Instagram Stories that urged Black people not to support Argentina, which it described as "one of, if not the most racist, countries in the world." The post featured an AI-generated image of Jackson’s character, Stephen, from the 2012 film "Django Unchained," wearing an Argentina jersey.

The intervention came as Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the final, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match capped a tournament where Argentina faced growing criticism not only for alleged fan racism but also for on-field conduct described as petulant and violent. After the final whistle, the Argentine squad turned their backs as Spain received the trophy, an act criticized by some as poor sportsmanship.

Jackson’s post ignited a fierce online response. Many Argentinians and others defended the country, calling the accusation outrageous and a product of anti-Argentina propaganda. Some pointed out that Spain also has a...