UPDATED ' DISGRACEFUL '

' UPDATED '

England players will wear poppies when they play Scotland on Remembrance Sunday next week despite a Fifa regulation banning them from doing so, the Football Association has confirmed.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, the FA make it clear that the governing body intends to pay "an appropriate tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice".

"The poppy is an important symbol of remebrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message, nor does it relate to any one historical event," FA said.



Poppies in doubt

Wales hopes of wearing a poppy armband on November 12 have been dealt a blow.

The Scottish Football association have said FIFA have turned down a similar request from England and Scotland to wear the armbands in their match next week.

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Fifa 'rejects England & Scotland request to wear poppies on armbands'

Poppy

BBC

Tuesday 1st Nov 2016

England are playing Scotland at Wembley for the first time since August 2013

Fifa has turned down a request from England and Scotland for players to wear armbands featuring poppies when they face each other at Wembley on Armistice Day, says the Scottish Football Association.

The two nations meet in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on 11 November, the day when the United Kingdom traditionally remembers its war dead.

SFA chief Stewart Regan says Fifa, which bans political, religious or commercial messages on shirts, is "sticking to the letter of the law".

The two football associations hope to change Fifa's mind.

MP Damian Collins - chair of the Commons' Culture, Media and Sport select committee - has written to Fifa president Gianni Infantino asking for the world governing body to reconsider its decision.

Separately, the Football Association of Wales says it is seeking approval for its players to wear the poppy symbol on their shirts when they play Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium on 12 November.

The football associations of England, Scotland and Wales also want to know what the potential punishments could be should they decide to flout the rules.

Fifa, football's world governing body, has not indicated whether a points penalty would be under consideration.

Regan said he and FA chief executive Martin Glenn would be meeting Fifa officials on Thursday to discuss the poppy issue.

"We will be asking for their support to try to give the people of England and Scotland what they want," Regan told BBC Radio 5 live. "That is to use this match of a way of remembering people who lost their lives in the war.

"I can understand why they are doing this, but it is nothing more than a mark of respect. It is a personal choice. This is not about making some political point."

From the archive: Why do people wear poppies?
Is the poppy a political symbol?
Listen: New York Times journalist fears "dangerous precedent" if Fifa accedes
The compromise of wearing a printed poppy on an armband was brokered for England's 1-0 friendly win over Spain at Wembley on 12 November, 2011.

A spokesman for the English FA said: "We are working closely with the Royal British Legion once again this year to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those serving in the armed forces.

"In recent weeks, the FA has led remembrance discussions with Fifa to allow the England team to show its support for the Poppy Appeal during the World Cup qualifier with Scotland."

England are top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group with seven points from three games. Group F rivals Scotland are fourth with four points.

The top team qualifies automatically for the finals in Russia, with the second-placed side possibly entering a play-off.

Wales lie third in Group D, behind Serbia and the Republic of Ireland.

Every supporter should take a giant poppy to the match and wave it proudly, my father spent 4 years in a pow camp so these ba******ds have the freedom to do this !!!

Bollocks to them Wales, Scotland and England should wear them regardless of what FIFA say.

centre circle as a poopy.
absolute disgrace and to say ' we are just following our rules' . Well change it.

then england, wales and scotland associations should provide huge displays for the fans to hold up

nubbsy i think that's a really good idea also i read on f/b staff in poundland have been sent home for wearing poppies why do we always have to worry about upsetting others when they couldn't give a toss about us

then england, wales and scotland associations should provide huge displays for the fans to hold up

What a great idea

Every supporter should take a giant poppy to the match and wave it proudly, my father spent 4 years in a pow camp so these ba******ds have the freedom to do this !!!

My father also spent 6 years fighting the Germans between 39-45 but would never wear a poppy because he felt it was 'glorifying war' and had absolutely no time for the British Legion. Unfortunately this is more so now, it has certainly become more political and it is more of a recruitment drive than anything else now.
I wear a white poppy every year to remember the dead of every country in all wars. It's is very important to remember the sacrifice that they made but also hopefully ensure that it never happens again.

Up yours fifa,NEVER FORGOTTEN#togetherstronger.
Making my Poppy banner as we speak

Every supporter should take a giant poppy to the match and wave it proudly, my father spent 4 years in a pow camp so these ba******ds have the freedom to do this !!!

My father also spent 6 years fighting the Germans between 39-45 but would never wear a poppy because he felt it was 'glorifying war' and had absolutely no time for the British Legion. Unfortunately this is more so now, it has certainly become more political and it is more of a recruitment drive than anything else now.
I wear a white poppy every year to remember the dead of every country in all wars. It's is very important to remember the sacrifice that they made but also hopefully ensure that it never happens again.

I am with you on this, I don't wear a white poppy but agree with your sentiments.

To have this title as disgraceful is an over exaggeration and people are letting political agenda come into the sport more yet slam political agenda for coming into the sport in the first place?

It doesn't bother me if we do or don't but the strong opinions in this thread show people are happy for politics to come into the sport more and more.

Every supporter should take a giant poppy to the match and wave it proudly, my father spent 4 years in a pow camp so these ba******ds have the freedom to do this !!!

My father also spent 6 years fighting the Germans between 39-45 but would never wear a poppy because he felt it was 'glorifying war' and had absolutely no time for the British Legion. Unfortunately this is more so now, it has certainly become more political and it is more of a recruitment drive than anything else now.
I wear a white poppy every year to remember the dead of every country in all wars. It's is very important to remember the sacrifice that they made but also hopefully ensure that it never happens again.

Absolutely spot on. No time for poppy fascists.

nubbsy i think that's a really good idea also i read on f/b staff in poundland have been sent home for wearing poppies why do we always have to worry about upsetting others when they couldn't give a toss about us

Probably bollocks. People like making up such stories to whip up anger.

F...ing Fifa... they talking about rules and morals?.. that's rich coming from the most fraudulent and corrupt organisation around.

Every supporter should take a giant poppy to the match and wave it proudly, my father spent 4 years in a pow camp so these ba******ds have the freedom to do this !!!

My father also spent 6 years fighting the Germans between 39-45 but would never wear a poppy because he felt it was 'glorifying war' and had absolutely no time for the British Legion. Unfortunately this is more so now, it has certainly become more political and it is more of a recruitment drive than anything else now.
I wear a white poppy every year to remember the dead of every country in all wars. It's is very important to remember the sacrifice that they made but also hopefully ensure that it never happens again.

I am with you on this, I don't wear a white poppy but agree with your sentiments.

To have this title as disgraceful is an over exaggeration and people are letting political agenda come into the sport more yet slam political agenda for coming into the sport in the first place?

It doesn't bother me if we do or don't but the strong opinions in this thread show people are happy for politics to come into the sport more and more.

Two good posts

Its not the first time FIFA have done this. It happened under Speed in 2011.

FIFA, like the EU are another bloated bureaucratic body that is out of touch and needs to be dismantled and reorganised root and branch. It was the same guff FIFA statement last time that shirts 'should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages'. But as soon as a private sponsor flashes cash they take it and we all know a lot of it ended up with Blatter and his cronies.

People wear a poppy as a mark of respect, remembrance and appreciation. The only people who think its a political statement are the rotten bloated corrupt body that is FIFA. Good on Theresa May for saying things exactly like they are today.

Wear your poppy with pride. Lest We Forget.

The wearing of a poppy is a personal choice, the Royal British legion does fantastic work helping veterans of all conflicts.
It is not a political symbol, it is worn as a remembrance to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our country so it is shame on Fifa and there are double standards here as the Republic of Ireland had a symbol on their shirts to remember the Easter uprising a few years ago and there were no sanctions against them.

Don't see how wearing a poppy as a mark of respect for those who died so that we are free to make these sort of comments without any comeback on a public forum is political. As far as I am concerned I wear a poppy out of respect for those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, and politics has nothing to do with it.

My dad who passed away three months ago aged ninety died three months ago served in Egypt don't forget the war they fought was just not for our country but for other countries as well.fifa are not a govermeant they are a corrupt outfit running football.i hope the four nations where the poppies

Whether you want to wear one or not is up to the individual, for myself it's a way of giving a small amount to the charity to help ex servicemen and to show my personal respect and gratitude to all who have made the sacrifice for freedom. I just think that fifa have no right to ban them on the pitch, how long before they ban the minutes silence.

England will have poppies at Wembley despite Fifa ban, says FA chairman

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 93591.html

Hopefully Wales will follow...

Greg Clarke Chairman of the FA has told ITV that England players will be wearing poppies when they play Scotland despite the FIFA stance got to say well done ENGLAND

FIFA - Gone mad again

Don't see how wearing a poppy as a mark of respect for those who died so that we are free to make these sort of comments without any comeback on a public forum is political. As far as I am concerned I wear a poppy out of respect for those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, and politics has nothing to do with it.

It becomes political because it is worn by one side of the conflict. A symbol that is worn by all sides as a sign of reconciliation would not be seen as a political symbol.
England played Scotland on November 13, 1999 and not a poppy in sight. I think that shows you how the poppy as a political symbol has developed recently, think of tv, politicians etc 'must not be seen without a poppy.'

Its not the first time FIFA have done this. It happened under Speed in 2011.

FIFA, like the EU are another bloated bureaucratic body that is out of touch and needs to be dismantled and reorganised root and branch. It was the same guff FIFA statement last time that shirts 'should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages'. But as soon as a private sponsor flashes cash they take it and we all know a lot of it ended up with Blatter and his cronies.

People wear a poppy as a mark of respect, remembrance and appreciation. The only people who think its a political statement are the rotten bloated corrupt body that is FIFA. Good on Theresa May for saying things exactly like they are today.

Wear your poppy with pride. Lest We Forget.

So who controls football in the meantime, smart-arse?

The wearing of a poppy is a personal choice, the Royal British legion does fantastic work helping veterans of all conflicts.
It is not a political symbol, it is worn as a remembrance to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our country so it is shame on Fifa and there are double standards here as the Republic of Ireland had a symbol on their shirts to remember the Easter uprising a few years ago and there were no sanctions against them.

It was actually earlier this year, but carry on...

FIFA - Gone mad again

Why? If they allow this, they'd be opening a can of worms. What next, Syria wearing a symbol/message of support for Syrian government forces?

Greg Clarke Chairman of the FA has told ITV that England players will be wearing poppies when they play Scotland despite the FIFA stance got to say well done ENGLAND

f**k the English, f**k them. Yet another occasion where England are going to 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.

I really hope we don't join in with this nonsense. England can bloody well afford to risk a points deduction and still qualify with ease from their rag-ass group of no-hopers so no wonder they are so f*cking bullish. We can't and should not.

Greg Clarke Chairman of the FA has told ITV that England players will be wearing poppies when they play Scotland despite the FIFA stance got to say well done ENGLAND

f**k the English, f**k them. Yet another occasion where England are going to 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.

I really hope we don't join in with this nonsense. England can bloody well afford to risk a points deduction and still qualify with ease from their rag-ass group of no-hopers so no wonder they are so f*cking bullish. We can't and should not.

It's thanks to those most of us choose to repect that you are able to air your view on a public forum without any comeback.

The wearing of a poppy is a personal choice, the Royal British legion does fantastic work helping veterans of all conflicts.
It is not a political symbol, it is worn as a remembrance to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our country so it is shame on Fifa and there are double standards here as the Republic of Ireland had a symbol on their shirts to remember the Easter uprising a few years ago and there were no sanctions against them.

It was actually earlier this year, but carry on...

I will carry on because this is all about opinions you have yours and I have mine because that is what those brave servicemen and women fought for and sacrificed their lives.