FIFA turned down a request from England and Scotland for players to "wear armbands featuring poppies on Armistice Day," according to the BBC. England plays Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Nov. 11, the day when the U.K. "traditionally remembers its war dead." Scottish FA CEO Stewart Regan said that FIFA, which bans political, religious or commercial messages on shirts, is "sticking to the letter of the law." The FAs "hope to change" FIFA's mind. Separately, the FA of Wales said that it is "seeking approval for its players to wear the poppy symbol" on its shirts when the team plays Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Nov. 12. The FAs of England, Scotland and Wales also "want to know what the potential punishments could be should they decide to flout the rules." Regan said that he and FA CEO Martin Glenn would be meeting FIFA officials on Thursday "to discuss the poppy issue" (BBC, 11/1). In London, Jack de Menezes reported FIFA does not "allow political statements to be printed on shirts, and while the poppy is a common sight in the Premier League each year, they are not allowed in international shirts unless special dispensation is given by FIFA." In '11, FIFA "eventually backed down after threatening to ban the England team from wearing poppies in a friendly against Spain," allowing England to display the symbol on black armbands (INDEPENDENT, 11/1).
DRAWING FURY: The Scotland DAILY RECORD reported FIFA has been "blasted for banning poppies." The move has "caused fury among some." Former SFA CEO Gordon Smith criticized the call, saying, "FIFA are wrong. It's a representation of honoring the people who fell in war. I don't see how they can possibly think it's a political thing." Former Scotland Manager Craig Brown also condemned the ruling, saying, "It's not a unilateral issue -- both teams have the utmost sympathy with Armistice Day. It's a very sensitive issue for people across the U.K. I would’ve thought a bit of common sense and flexibility on the part of FIFA would allow it to happen. But they are notoriously inflexible -- it’s typical FIFA" (DAILY RECORD, 11/1). In London, Joseph Curtis reported Falklands veteran Simon Weston, who "suffered severe burns during a bombing raid in the conflict," said, "Who are FIFA? A bunch of people who make a hell of a lot of money and turn round and treat people like cattle. How dare they?'" It is understood the FA "is already in talks with FIFA over commemorations for the day, aiming to stage a rendition of the Last Post along with a two-minute silence." Bosses "are believed to have lined up a trip to a war memorial for the squad picked by Gareth Southgate while poppy sellers will also be in the stands," with the occasion seen as "a chance for both sets of fans to come together in unity" (DAILY MAIL, 11/1). In London, Charlie Peat reported FA chiefs have "also been lambasted for reportedly failing to challenge the FIFA ruling." U.K. Independence Party member Paul Nuttall said that the decision made his "blood boil." He said, "It is utter nonsense for FIFA to forbid them wearing poppies on their shirts because they sniffily consider it 'a political statement'" (EXPRESS, 11/1). The London GUARDIAN's Emine Saner provided a list of previous poppy controversies.
