File photo dated 16/06/1982 of England team that beat France during the 1982 World Cup finals in Bilbao, Spain. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 28, 2012. The British Government considered pulling out of the 1982 World Cup as war broke out with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, newly released documents reveal. In the aftermath of Argentina’s invasion of the Falklands, sports governing bodies were urged to pull out of competitions with Argentinian teams both in England and in Argentina. But despite the directive from Sports Minister Neil Macfarlane, it remained undecided whether British nations should pull out of the 1982 Football World Cup, England’s first cup in 12 years. Files released to the National Archives in Kew show that cabinet ministers debated withdrawing from the World Cup, due to start on June 13 in Spain that year, but feared the decision would be used as Argentinian propaganda. See PA story RECORDS Falklands WorldCup. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire