U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has "asked FIFA to reconsider its 'outrageous' ban on British teams wearing embroidered poppies on their shirts to mark Remembrance Day in friendlies this week," according to Mike Collett of REUTERS. FIFA has "rebuffed requests from the government to allow England and Wales to wear the poppy, but will allow them to wear black armbands and observe periods of silence instead." The British government, backed by the English Football Association, "asked FIFA for permission to wear the poppies, which are worn as a symbol for remembering members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty." Remembrance Day is Friday (REUTERS, 11/9). Cameron said, "This seems outrageous. ... Wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride. I hope FIFA will reconsider." A letter from FIFA to the FA yesterday stated, "We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football. Therefore, we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised." FIFA's rules "prevent anything of a political nature being worn on shirts and although the organisation does not regard poppies as political, they are concerned it would open the door to countries wanting to wear various different emblems on their shirts, some of which would be overtly political." However, FIFA VP Jim Boyce said, "Personally I think there has to be a bit of common sense used when requests like this come in" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/9).
