FIFA ban England, Scotland from wearing poppies in World Cup qualifier News

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FIFA ban England, Scotland from wearing poppies in World Cup qualifier

By Daily Sports on November 3, 2016

FIFA have continued their firm stance of not allowing England and Scotland from having poppies on their jerseys at next week’s massive World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

With the Group F game falling on Armistice Day, football’s governing body have ruled out the symbol of memorial, suggesting that it carries a political statement, that is forbidden under the FIFA rule where no political, religious or commercial messages can be seen on shirts.

This is not the first time FIFA have given a poppy ban. In 2011, despite pleas from then Prime Minister David Cameron, FA president Prince William and the English FA, FIFA rejected England’s plea to carry an embroidered poppy for a game against Spain.

The move by FIFA for the poppy ban on next week’s qualifier has upset fans, with Falklands veteran Simon Weston backing the English FA to risk a fine and carry on with the gesture.

“The FAs of both — Scotland and England should stand up and be counted,” Weston told The Mirror.

“Both those countries took part in both World Wars and should take the lead. They should pay any fine has to give them. This is not a political gesture.”

A FIFA spokesman has confirmed that they are “in contact with the FA over the issue” but have yet to release an official statement regarding the ban. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gianni Infantino

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 3, 2016