Argentina marks Belgrano deaths

THE Argentine government has named the upcoming football season in honour of a ship sunk by British torpedoes in the Falklands War.

The season, which begins on Friday, will be known as the first division “Crucero General Belgrano” (Cruiser General Belgrano).

Argentina lost 649 servicemen in the war, 323 of them on the Belgrano, sunk by the submarine HMS Conqueror.

The Argentine government owns the rights to first division matches and shows games on free-to-air television. Advertising time is often used to promote the accomplishments of the government.