' UPDATED ' " SO NO POPPIES " BUT OTHER COUNTRIES YES

If FIFA rules state that you can not wear poppies on the shirt, what's wrong with wearing the poppy on the shorts or socks or even both.
That's not breaking the rules just bending them & sticking 2 fingers up to FIFA.

Suppose we should be used to be being told what we can and can't do in our own country by foreigners by now. Like someone else said, they can't take action against us without doing the same with England and Scotland as well. Rules cannot apply to just some. They apply to everyone or nobody.

Apparenly the rules state that the opposing side would have to complain about it for action to be taken. Obviously Scotland/eng aren't going to complain about each other but there may be a distinct possibility that Serbia may complain about Wales , given that they may view the poppy differently due to gb involvement in air strikes against them not that long ago. It would alsosuit them for wales to have a points deduction . Anyway, this is all over having a poppy on a black armband. Eng and Scotland are wearing them, nireland and Wales are wearing black armbands with other things planned on the night. We are paying our respects like we have done all year which is the important thing, no, it's the ONLY thing

RULES OF FIFA THATS A FECKING JOKE FAW GROW A PAIR GUTLESS TO THE REST OF THE HOME NATIONS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS WELL DONE

Giant mural of a poppy being created in the family stand, players wearing black armbands, 2 minutes silence...do you want them to re enact the battle of mametz wood too ffs!!!

Agree mate.

We are of course marking the occasion in other ways but FIFA have done this to us before under Speedo and should be sensitive of how important this is to us. Only they seem to think that this is a political statement. But then FIFA is a bloated, bureaucratic, arrogant, out of touch and corrupt organisation. The FAW shouldn't be rolling over on this as a point of principal but then again they shouldn't have been put in this situation by FIFA in the first place.

We are of course marking the occasion in other ways but FIFA have done this to us before under Speedo and should be sensitive of how important this is to us. Only they seem to think that this is a political statement. But then FIFA is a bloated, bureaucratic, arrogant, out of touch and corrupt organisation. The FAW shouldn't be rolling over on this as a point of principal but then again they shouldn't have been put in this situation by FIFA in the first place.

But they should say f**k you to FIFA....but agree with your post

We are of course marking the occasion in other ways but FIFA have done this to us before under Speedo and should be sensitive of how important this is to us. Only they seem to think that this is a political statement. But then FIFA is a bloated, bureaucratic, arrogant, out of touch and corrupt organisation. The FAW shouldn't be rolling over on this as a point of principal but then again they shouldn't have been put in this situation by FIFA in the first place.

But they should say f**k you to FIFA....but agree with your post

Agree - the FAW absolutely should be telling FIFA to fuck-off mate as a point of principal. FIFA should be busy working to reverse the massive scandals they are guilty of like reversing the Russian and Qatar bogus world cup decisions instead of meddling. Hate them with a passion.

Last edited by GrangeEndStar on Thu Nov 10, 2016 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Depends how you look at this, poppies only a recent thing on shirts so you can say why would we need them on the shorts to show respects?

Others will say they area distescptful if they don't wear them


Some say Fifa are at fault some say FAW are at fault

Personally I believe that the FAW are going to honour the fallen in a fantatsic way and giant poppies on screens a mural in the stadium beamed across the world on love TV will also be sticking two fingers up to Fifa

But the biggest point I can make is that the FAW will honour the fallen and that IMO is all that matters not how it's done but the fact that it will be done surely that is what matters? Remembering those brave men and women who died to protect this country?

I would not slate anyone here or anywhere that did not choose to pay their respects for it is a personal decision to each and every individual and organisation in this country, I worked for a business that would not have a silence on armistice day and I would always take my break purposely to take that silence and remember the sacrifices others made so that we today have the freedom of choice and I wouldn't think any less of anyone that's didn't leave their place of work for that two minute silence either as that would be their choice and it's not for me to tell them they should even if I did feel that they should do so

Gutless Welsh FA, disgusting cowards. They should have more respect for all the British soldiers who have given their lives so we can live in a free country and make the decisions that we feel are correct, and not to be dictated to by some suit wearing no marks working out of Switzerland for FIFA. Jonathan Ford hold your head in shame, you have disrespected people with far more pride than you will ever have, Gutless FAW

The Welsh FA have decided not to wear poppies on armbands worn by players against Serbia
I disagree with this decision opinions please

Gutless bafoons

*buffoons.

And why are they? They've been quite sensible.

Coleman said, we'll abide by the rules.

Only this time the rules are insignificant when there are respects to be paid to our many thousands of war dead that gave their lives so we could live ours. The same rules applied to England and Scotland they stuck two fingers up as they know what is more important to them.

Sadly the FAW would like to bow to FIFA.

Absoloutely Discraceful !

FIFA are only following a rule that the home nations themselves created. So this isn't FIFA's fault. England and Scotland are being massive hypocrites and I won't cry for them if they're punished.

This is a total lack of respect by the Welsh fa
Worried they might lose points or have a fine
So what if they do
It would just mean Wales would have to win an extra game
Totally disgusting and they have now turned out to be gutless bastards who are only thinking of themselves
England and Scotland are quite prepared to take the chance because they care about the soldiers who died in 2 world wars
I personally don't think there would be any punishments for wearing the poppy but Wales are putting money and points first
Shame on you Wales

Of course they were worried that they might have been punished, I was as well. We've dropped two points already, we can't afford to drop any more. 'It would just mean Wales would have to win an extra game'. Yes, so why on earth should we make things harder than they already are?!

They're 'gutless bastards who are only thinking of themselves'. Is that a bad thing? Why should we dance to England's tune all the time?

England and Scotland are quite prepared to risk being punished because they're a bunch of stupid hypocrites who have shown complete disregard for the rules.

I'm not entirely sure how the FAW are putting 'money' first, either.

f**k FIFA and face the fine....the Irish done it...gutless Welsh FA...they should hang their heads in shame

FIFA are only applying the laws of the game which are decided by IFAB. The four British FAs sit on IFAB alongside FIFA. So the FAW aren't being 'gutless', they're just not being massive hypocrites like the English and the Scottish.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales, said: “The FAW naturally wishes to respect and honour those who fought and lost their lives fighting for their country.

“As an Association we also have to respect the rules of FIFA and following long discussions with members of the FAW Council, staff, management and players, a decision has been made not to wear the poppy against Serbia.

“We felt unable to take the risk of a financial penalty or point deduction, however, as we always have done at this time of year, we will be paying our respects in other ways.”

Cowards......

I fail to see how they're being 'cowards' about this. They're being sensible.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales, said: “The FAW naturally wishes to respect and honour those who fought and lost their lives fighting for their country.

“As an Association we also have to respect the rules of FIFA and following long discussions with members of the FAW Council, staff, management and players, a decision has been made not to wear the poppy against Serbia.

“We felt unable to take the risk of a financial penalty or point deduction, however, as we always have done at this time of year, we will be paying our respects in other ways.”

Cowards......

I'd be amazed if there is a points deduction and surprised by a fine. I am disgusted that the FAW dont follow England and Scotland and if need be take the financial fine. This is creeping of the highest order, any financial fine would be a drop in the ocean for the players should they contribute, which I like think they would.

The FAW need to take a good look at themselves.

We've been fined before merely for invading the pitch, so I doubt FIFA would be fazed by fining us (or worse, deducting points from us) for breaking a rule the FAW themselves had a hand in creating. I for one would have had no issue with such punishment had the FAW defied the rule.

Why are you 'disgusted' that the FAW aren't following England and Scotland? They've done the right thing in not dancing to their tune. England never change. They try and cajole the other home nations into standing by them when, when the agenda doesn't suit them, they are usually quite happy to turn their backs on us. Remember them ending the Home Internationals? They also withdrew from the U16s' Victory Shield about two years ago, probably because of bitterness that Wales had won it.

Why should the players pay any fine had the FAW pressed ahead, defied the rule and been punished? I'd have told the FAW to f**k off.

Well done FAW.

Reading between the lines it is against rules according to fifa? That gives Serbia the right to complain so risking Wales getting points deduction if they do so? If i was them i would complain! would people be happy for Wales to have say 2pnts deducted? Totally different scenario for eng /scot as neither will complain.

It would be in contravention of an IFAB rule (http://www.theifab.com/#!/laws/the-play ... -equipment) that states:

'Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer`s logo. For any infringement the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or to be justified by FIFA.'

The poppy would come under either 'political' or 'personal'. Probably both.

I'm not sure the fact that neither England or Scotland will complain will save them, in all honesty. FIFA are likely to take a dim view regardless, and so they should. They are correctly applying the laws of the game (laws the home nations had a hand in determining) and here they have countries openly defying a law they themselves were involved in creating!

Typical gutless Welsh FA. England and Scotland are sticking to there beliefs and good on them. But our Welsh FA are spineless ass holes. This has made me mad and made Wales look like gutless roll overs to the rest of the UK. I'm glad Coleman had said he wanted his players to wear them
Fecking fuming tamping

They're not being 'gutless' at all. And I'm not sure what you're implying by 'typical', either.

England and Scotland are quite prepared to risk being punished because they're a bunch of stupid hypocrites who have shown complete disregard for the rules, rules they themselves had a hand in creating, so if they're punished (and I hope they are), I will laugh my head off. The FAW aren't being 'spineless' or 'gutless', they're just not being massive hypocrites like the English and the Scottish.

Coleman has said he would like the players to wear poppies, yes, but he did say last week that Wales would have to abide by the rules. As he said, they've always shown respect to the fallen and will continue to do so. They'll be having two minutes' silence during training tomorrow (like they did last year) and they'll be visiting a war memorial on Sunday, like they did in Belgium two years ago, when they visited the Welsh War Memorial at Langemark and the Artillery Wood cemetery near Ypres.

Lets be realistic here, FIFA wouldn't fine Wales if they didn't fine England or Scotland, regardless of any complaint.

As for the mention of a financial fine, that is an attempt to justify a decision they know will stick in the throats of most. But it's more than that, any fine would surely be a breeze with the 'France Money'. At times the modern game disgusts me, with some of our international players rumoured to be earning more per week than most of us will see in a decade.

How low for the FAW to cite fear of a fine. Lower than a snakes belly.

They've 'succked up' to FIFA and there is no moral justification in my opinion.

Hardly their faults!

The FAW have not sucked up to FIFA, just following the rule they had a hand in creating (along with the other home nation FAs who sit on IFAB).

Would this be a discussion or upset if a company called Poppy4Kits didn't come up with the idea a few years ago. Never saw Poppy's on kits 10/15 years ago, rememberance is Tomorrow, and Sunday. The players haven't worn a poppy all week on their training kits, so why on Saturday?

Exactly. It's a very modern outrage.

RULES OF FIFA THATS A FECKING JOKE FAW GROW A PAIR GUTLESS TO THE REST OF THE HOME NATIONS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS WELL DONE

Firstly, turn off your caps lock. You look like a lunatic.

Secondly, FIFA are merely applying the laws of the game which are determined by IFAB. The four British FAs sit on IFAB alongside FIFA, so the home nations were involved in creating this rule which the English and Scottish are now defying because they're a bunch of massive hypocrites. So if they're punished, f**k them. I won't shed a tear.

Last edited by Cwmann_Bluebird on Fri Nov 11, 2016 12:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

If you want to wear a poppy wear a poppy. A player wearing a wrist band is a personal choice that says much more.

We live in a world of professional outrage, where it is more important to appear "in touch" and compassionate. Being seen to be doing something is more important than doing it for the right reason nowadays.

Yes, i have a poppy, and the kids have the wrist bands (last city game), but its a personal choice and should be that and not mandated.


Cue outrage

Nobody is talking about a personal choice or individual, the point is the FAW have made a decision for the team and the country.

Together Stronger, well sometimes maybe........

The FAW have made a decision in the best interests of the players. How do you think the players would feel if they wore poppies against Serbia, won the game and then lost three hard-earned points because the FAW openly defied a rule they themselves had a hand in creating? I don't think they'd be pleased, they'd be livid. And rightly so.

Boycott the game. Gutless and well done england and scotland

That would be lunacy. The FAW aren't being 'gutless', they're just not being massive hypocrites like the English and the Scottish.

Fuc.... the point deduction

Do you want to see Wales at the World Cup or not?

Suppose we should be used to be being told what we can and can't do in our own country by foreigners by now. Like someone else said, they can't take action against us without doing the same with England and Scotland as well. Rules cannot apply to just some. They apply to everyone or nobody.

That is just preposterous. This is nothing to do with 'foreigners'. The rule FIFA are applying was determined by IFAB, upon which the four British FAs sit alongside FIFA. So England and Scotland are openly defying a rule they themselves had a hand in creating. If they're punished (and I hope they are), then I won't be losing any sleep. I'll be laughing my head off.

We are of course marking the occasion in other ways but FIFA have done this to us before under Speedo and should be sensitive of how important this is to us. Only they seem to think that this is a political statement. But then FIFA is a bloated, bureaucratic, arrogant, out of touch and corrupt organisation. The FAW shouldn't be rolling over on this as a point of principal but then again they shouldn't have been put in this situation by FIFA in the first place.

In 2011, FIFA and the home nations (or at least, Wales and England) reached a compromise. The funny thing is, it hasn't been a problem in any of the years since. But this year, it is. Probably because England and Scotland are playing each other. So what happens? Another occasion where England try and cajole the other home nations into standing by them when, when the agenda doesn't suit them, they are usually quite happy to turn their backs on us. Scotland have decided to dance to their tune, and thankfully, the FAW have decided not to.

The poppy is a political statement. The Prime Minister, and many others, have argued that it is not political. Even if this dubious claim is accepted, the fact that the poppy remains, for some, also a celebration of military achievement politicises it. When this is added to the new pressure on public figures to wear one or risk being branded unpatriotic or disrespectful of the dead, the idea that the poppy is not political makes no sense at all.

FIFA aren't to blame here. FIFA, or rather the International Football Association Board whose rules it enforces, are simply applying a particular law of the game. England and Scotland are being foolish and hypocritical in defying FIFA given that both FAs sit on IFAB, alongside Wales, Northern Ireland and FIFA. So the home nation FAs haven't been 'put in this situation by FIFA' at all. FIFA has many faults, but this issue isn't one of them.

We are of course marking the occasion in other ways but FIFA have done this to us before under Speedo and should be sensitive of how important this is to us. Only they seem to think that this is a political statement. But then FIFA is a bloated, bureaucratic, arrogant, out of touch and corrupt organisation. The FAW shouldn't be rolling over on this as a point of principal but then again they shouldn't have been put in this situation by FIFA in the first place.

But they should say f**k you to FIFA....but agree with your post

Agree - the FAW absolutely should be telling FIFA to fuck-off mate as a point of principal. FIFA should be busy working to reverse the massive scandals they are guilty of like reversing the Russian and Qatar bogus world cup decisions instead of meddling. Hate them with a passion.

Why? FIFA aren't to blame here. FIFA, or rather the International Football Association Board whose rules it enforces, are simply applying a particular law of the game. England and Scotland are being foolish and hypocritical in defying FIFA given that both FAs sit on IFAB, alongside Wales, Northern Ireland and FIFA. FIFA has many faults, but this issue isn't one of them.

Gutless Welsh FA, disgusting cowards. They should have more respect for all the British soldiers who have given their lives so we can live in a free country and make the decisions that we feel are correct, and not to be dictated to by some suit wearing no marks working out of Switzerland for FIFA. Jonathan Ford hold your head in shame, you have disrespected people with far more pride than you will ever have, Gutless FAW

The FAW aren't 'gutless', and nor are they 'disgusting cowards'. They do have respect for those who have given their lives in conflict, as is evident in the statement they released earlier:

'On Wednesday (November 9), members of the squad and the British Legion took part in creating images for a portrait of Leigh Rhoose, the Welsh international goalkeeper who was killed during the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago.

Two hundred military personnel will be present at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday (November 11) to join the management, squad and members of the media in a two- minute silence ahead of training on the 11th hour. A wreath will be laid on the pitch while an image of the poppy will be displayed on the stadium screens and a bugler will play the Last Post.

Prior to kick off on Saturday, a mosaic depicting the poppy be will unveiled by Wales supporters in the Family Stand and the players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect throughout the match.

Members of the Flanders Welsh War Memorial at Langemark will also be in attendance to watch the match. Two years ago, the Welsh squad and management visited the Langemark site, as well as Artillery Wood Cemetery, and strong links have been maintained ever since.

On Remembrance Sunday (November 13), a delegation of management and players will be visiting a War Memorial to pay their respects at 11am.

JD Sports are also selling limited edition Wales home shirts with a poppy print and 100% of the profit from these sales will be donated to the Royal British Legion.'

Those are just a few things I've picked out which show quite clearly that the FAW has as much respect for our fallen as you could wish them to have.

They're also not being dictated to by FIFA. FIFA aren't to blame here. FIFA, or rather the International Football Association Board whose rules it enforces, are simply applying a particular law of the game. England and Scotland are being foolish and hypocritical in defying FIFA given that both FAs sit on IFAB, alongside Wales, Northern Ireland and FIFA. FIFA has many faults, but this issue isn't one of them.

Imho the Welsh F.A. Are a total disgrace. What the hell made you make the decision you have.

Hang your heads in shame. Although you probably will not. Disgusted.

Well, I was initially annoyed that the FAW were reluctant to allow the Wales football team to wear a Poppy but then I saw this on Facebook. The author is a personal friend, a man I respect immensely, a former CO in the British Armed Forces, a long time Wales follower and a Cardiff City season ticket holder alongside his son...

"This is a reply that I put on another post that was criticising the Welsh Football Team: I don't want to upset people but I'm not sure I totally agree with the current argument around our National football teams wearing poppies on their shirts this coming weekend. I am proud to wear a poppy and generally wear it from 1st Oct up to 12th Nov or after Remembrance Sunday. I don't however wear it when I go for a run or a bike ride. This idea of having poppies on sports tops is a recent thing and I would suggest only done at the top level. I don't imagine the Cogan Corornation wearing them, but I bet they will have a 2 minute silence before the game and possibly lay a wreath at the side of the pitch. Surely this is what happened before 'Sky' took over televised sport. I will be going to watch the football on Saturday and I will wear a poppy. I am confident that all our players will wear a poppy with pride for the rest of Saturday and I'm also sure that my National Team will at least lay a wreath and respect a 2 minute silence to honour all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and I for one will be happy for that. I think the current arguments around the poppy are not helpful and are in a way making it, the poppy, a nationalistic and political issue which it is not and never should never be. We more than most know why we wear it and that is what is important. I am proud to be Welsh, proud to have served and thankful that I never had to pay the price that those who never came back did - rant over, sorry"

On reflection, I couldn't agree more with the words above and to my mind the FA and SFA have now wrongly 'politicised' to whole Remembrance event. I hope that people/fans (like the author above) choose to wear the Poppy for the right reasons rather than to make a political statement or in protest at the FAW who might just have made the more pragmatic decision

Imho the Welsh F.A. Are a total disgrace. What the hell made you make the decision you have.

Hang your heads in shame. Although you probably will not. Disgusted.

Running the risk of a fine/points deduction and not wanting to be seen as hypocrites for defying a rule they themselves had a hand in drawing up.

Imho the Welsh F.A. Are a total disgrace. What the hell made you make the decision you have.

Hang your heads in shame. Although you probably will not. Disgusted.

Running the risk of a fine/points deduction and not wanting to be seen as hypocrites for defying a rule they themselves had a hand in drawing up.

You obviously don't care as to whether the poppy should be worn or not and that's your choice
I would just ask you today to reflect on all those people who lost their lives to enable you to make your choice and it is because of their sacrifice you are here today able to do so