1966 England legend tells Fifa they 'should have stamped out' Argentina controversy ahead of World Cup clash

England World Cup winner Terry Paine has criticised FIFA for failing to clamp down on tensions surrounding Wednesday night's semi-final against Argentina, insisting political rhetoric "should have been stamped out".

The 87-year-old, one of only three surviving members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, believes the focus should be entirely on football rather than the historical rivalry between the two nations.

Paine spoke out after political references linked to the Falkland Islands have resurfaced in the build-up to the last-four clash in Atlanta.

"All this nonsense about the Falklands and Las Malvinas should have been stamped on hard by FIFA," Paine said.

"For heaven's sake, nobody on the pitch for this game was even born then.

"It's a game of football, that is all, and may the best team win. It's as simple as that."

The former Southampton winger believes England must keep their discipline against the reigning world champions despite expecting a fiercely physical contest.

"Argentina are hard and nasty and bloody physical, and it is in their DNA not to let you go past them," he said.

"It's going to get dirty, but England have to ensure they don't take the bait.

"Stay calm, take the free-kick, get it up to Jude and Harry and just play your own game. It has worked so far, and it's not important how you win but it is important to get the result."

Paine also backed Thomas Tuchel's side to edge through to the World Cup final, predicting another dramatic night for England supporters.

"I can see the game going to extra time and penalties and England winning from the spot-kicks," he said.

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"Whoever scores first will be hard to beat, but I reckon on a long, tough game."

While Paine admitted the current England side is not the strongest he has seen, he believes their resilience could prove decisive.

"There is something about this team," he said.

"They are not the best England team I have seen, but they have spirit and character and resilience, and of course both Kane and Bellingham."

The former England international also reflected on the contrasting management styles of Tuchel and Sir Alf Ramsey, revealing he would still prefer to see an Englishman in charge of the national team.

"I like Tuchel but, to be honest, I think an Englishman should manage England," he said.

"When the boys go out onto the pitch I would want a Sir Alf Ramsey figure out there running the shop."

Paine also recalled England's fiery 1966 World Cup quarter-final victory over Argentina, when Ramsey famously stopped George Cohen from swapping shirts with an Argentina player after the final whistle.

"I remember when we beat Argentina, George Cohen took off his shirt to swap it and Sir Alf ran out and grabbed it," he said.

"He told George in no uncertain terms that he was not giving an English shirt to an Argentinian."

Paine, who now lives in Johannesburg after a lengthy coaching and broadcasting career in South Africa, hopes this England generation can emulate the achievement of the class of 1966.

"It has been quite a ride for 60 years, but now it is time to see a new England team win the World Cup," he said.