Fifa’s poppy block

[ian1964 10,409]

Fifa’s poppy block: Fan fury as footie chiefs ban war dead tributes on Scotland shirts

 

By JACK ROYSTON

 

FIFA are blocking Scotland and England players from wearing poppies on their shirts for the World Cup qualifier next week.

 

Fury erupted last night over the ruling by football’s governing body that the symbol is a political statement and can’t be used for the Armistice Day game.

 

 

 

 

 

FURIOUS veterans and footie aces last night demanded that Fifa scrap their heartless poppy ban before the Armistice Day Auld Enemy clash.

 

Scotland and England stars have been barred from wearing the symbol of sacrifice on their shirts in next week’s World Cup qualifier.

 

Football’s scandal-hit world governing body claim the tribute to our war dead is a “political statement”.

 

But today The Scottish Sun, backed by veterans, politicians and the Royal British Legion, calls on Fifa to allow it on the shirts — and acknowledge the poppy as a sign of pride in the sacrifice of servicemen and women for more than a century.

 

The crunch qualifier clash takes place at Wembley on Armistice Day — November 11 — just two days before Remembrance Sunday.

 

The Scottish Football Association is now awaiting guidance from the English FA on the type of tribute they can make.

 

But last night ex-SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said: “Fifa are wrong. It’s a representation of honouring the people who fell in war.

 

“I don’t see how they can possibly think it’s a political thing.

 

“It’s casualties from all sides of war, so shouldn’t be upsetting anybody.

 

“I understand Fifa’s stance on political statements but this simply isn’t the case here.”

 

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown added: “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 UK.

 

“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.”

 

Glasgow Tory MSP Adam Tomkins added: “This ban is absurd. I am lost for words.

 

“An internationally recognised symbol commemorating the tragedy of war is condemned as a political symbol?

 

“It’s ludicrous, insulting, baffling and risible.”

 

The Royal British Legion said: “We welcome The Scottish Sun’s campaign and see no reason why the poppy should be banned from players’ shirts as it is not a political symbol.”

 

The last time Scotland played on Armistice Day — a 2-1 friendly win in Cyprus in 2011 — the poppy was relegated from players’ shirts to black armbands. Many players took them off as they kept slipping down — but Veterans Scotland have backed a call for them to be used as a compromise.

 

Chairman Martin Gibson said: “While we understand Fifa rules, we sincerely hope the request to wear poppy armbands is honoured at a time when the sacrifices of so many young men from both countries are remembered.”

 

And Hamish Husband, of the West of Scotland Tartan Army, agreed it was a very sensitive issue. He said: “The Tartan Army are going to honour Armistice Day and respect the many commemorations taking place in London that day.”

 

Scotland’s clash with the Auld Enemy had been seen as a rare chance to unite in tribute to the war dead at a home international.

 

The FA is now in talks with Fifa over how they can add their own tributes to the day, which will see commemorations across Britain. They hope to have a rendition of the Last Post ring through the terraces and a two-minute silence.

 

An SFA spokesman said: “We are the visiting team so will await the FA discussions with Fifa regarding poppies. Naturally, we would be in favour if permitted.”

 

A Fifa spokesman confirmed they are “in contact with the FA”.

 

HISTORY OF THE POPPIES

 

POPPIES became a symbol of troops’ sacrifice thanks to a Canadian doctor’s poem about the carnage of World War One.

 

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields after fighting in 1915’s Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium.

 

It tells how poppies grew amid the dead men’s graves which inspired a US academic to make silk poppies.

 

In 1921 the British Legion ordered nine million of them to raise money and help veterans.

 

Scotland’s design, made by disabled veterans in Edinburgh, has no green leaf.

 

To add the decoration would cost £15,000 a year, which Poppyscotland believes is better spent on war heroes.

 

Their factory in the capital was established due to the high demand from down south when poppies were first made.

 

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/7255158/Fifas-poppy-block-Fan-fury-as-footie-chiefs-ban-war-dead-tributes-on-Scotland-shirts-for-England-game.html

[ian1964 10,409]

Prime Minister Theresa May has backed calls for Scotland and England footballers to be allowed to wear poppies when the teams play each other on Armistice Day.

 

No 10 said that Mrs May wanted people to be able to wear poppies “with pride”.

 

Mrs May's official spokeswoman said that discussions about the issue were ongoing, but added: “The Prime Minister and the government's view on this is that people should be able to wear their poppies with pride. And that in the year when we are commemorating the centenary of the First World War it is a particularly poignant moment to remember quite what sacrifices were made to keep us free.”

 

Scotland and England are due to play at Wembley in a World Cup qualifier.

 

Football’s governing body, FIFA, bars players from displaying poppies on their shirts deeming them political statements.

 

In 2011, FIFA was forced to back down and allow players to display the symbol on black armbands during a friendly between England and Spain after In 2011 David Cameron denounced the ban as “appalling”

 

The FA says it is currently in discussions with FIFA to allow the England team to show its support for the poppy appeal during the World Cup qualifier with Scotland.

 

Stewart McDonald, the Glasgow South MP, has written to the SFA to urge the body to call on FIFA to overturn the ban.

 

He said: “Scottish football has a proud tradition of supporting the Poppy Appeal, from players wearing poppies on their shirts previously to allowing charitable collections inside the gates on match days, and it is important that clubs are allowed to show their respect and remember the great sacrifice that was made.

 

“During the First World War, 16 players from Hearts enlisted and were joined by players from Raith Rovers, Dunfermline, Hibs, St Bernard’s and Fife in the same battalion. In total, 11 Hearts players and three from Raith Rovers were killed.

 

“Players should not be obliged to wear the poppy, but players should be able to wear it if they wish to do so - they must have the right to choose.

 

“The SFA allows Scottish clubs to make their own decision about wearing poppies during matches and it is this common sense approach that FIFA needs to adopt - next Friday’s match between Scotland and England will take place on an international stage and it is right to allow both teams the freedom of choice to recognise those who lost their lives during the World Wars.”

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/1...into_FIFA_row/

[boabie 230]

Both teams should wear the poppies and accept whatever fine FIFA hand out. Feck 'em.

[JFK-1 1,669]

I don't see how FIFA feel they are entitled to pull this crap when it has significance for both sides and is simply a memorial for the war dead of both sides aimed at no one. Do they want to ban national anthems too? National flags?

[ian1964 10,409]

I don't see how FIFA feel they are entitled to pull this crap when it has significance for both sides and is simply a memorial for the war dead of both sides aimed at no one. Do they want to ban national anthems too? National flags?

 

It will be being pushed by ****s in high plaaces!

[compo 6,119]

Tell them to go and take a fifa to themselves

[TheWee BlueDevil 0]

Plenty of Scottish fans will be quite happy with this.

 

Put Scotland in the same sentence as England and huge irritation is guaranteed, feathers will be ruffled.

 

I fully expect some smart laddie to soon decide that wearing a poppy is anti-Scottish. And I fully expect a bandwagon to follow...........

[JFK-1 1,669]

War dead are not politicians they're soldiers the vast majority of whom did not want to be where they were. That's not so say they didn't want to serve but realistically absolutely no one on either side of a conflict wants to be in a nightmare like the trenches of WW1. I don't get what's political about this. Is it political when Americans commemorate the dead of 911?

 

The poppy's are a symbol of remembrance not a political statement. And as suggested FIFA can go F themselves. Wear the poppies. And incidentally is it an offence if large sections of the crowd are sporting a poppy which is highly likely.

[boabie 230]

Plenty of Scottish fans will be quite happy with this.

 

Put Scotland in the same sentence as England and huge irritation is guaranteed, feathers will be ruffled.

 

I fully expect some smart laddie to soon decide that wearing a poppy is anti-Scottish. And I fully expect a bandwagon to follow...........

 

In much the same way as a few numbskulls decided that waving a saltire at Ibrox meant I was a yes supporter ?

There are bawheids everywhere mate.

[ian1964 10,409]

England & Scotland FAs to defy poppy ban despite Fifa sanction threat

 

The Football Associations of England and Scotland say they will defy a ban on players wearing poppies when the teams meet on Armistice Day.

 

The FAs will let players wear black armbands with poppy emblems and are willing to accept any punishment.

 

Fifa general secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura told BBC Sport "any kind of sanction" could follow.

 

World football's governing body prohibits political, religious or commercial messages on shirts.

 

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has called the rule "outrageous".

 

Britain is not the only country that has been suffering from the result of war

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura

Fifa general secretary

 

English FA chief executive Martin Glenn told BBC Sport that players from both sides would wear black armbands carrying the poppy symbol - traditionally used to remember those who died during World War One - "as a point of principle".

 

The SFA also confirmed it "intends to pay appropriate tribute by having the Scotland national team wear black armbands bearing poppies".

 

England play Scotland at Wembley on 11 November in a World Cup 2018 qualifier.

 

The Football Association of Wales has also written to Fifa requesting permission to wear poppies on armbands during their game against Serbia in Cardiff on 12 November but has not yet committed to defying the ban.

 

However, Glenn said: "We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the other home nations on this, we all feel very strongly. It's not a political symbol and I think most people would agree with us."

 

A points deduction could be one option open to Fifa should it decide to punish the FAs for flouting its ban, but Glenn does not believe it will come to that.

 

He explained: "We don't think we are breaking their law - we think they are misinterpreting it. I'm confident it won't come to anything draconian."

 

When the issue arose in 2011, a compromise was reached in which players were allowed to wear armbands with the poppy symbol.

 

The FAs of England and Scotland had asked Fifa for permission to do the same next week, but have been told that would breach the laws of the game.

 

Both FAs say they are continuing to negotiate with Fifa and are hopeful of finding an amicable solution, but Samoura questioned why an exception should be made for England, Scotland and Wales.

 

"We have to apply uniformly and across the 211 member associations the laws of the game," she said.

 

"Britain is not the only country that has been suffering from the result of war. The only question is why are we doing exceptions for just one country and not the rest of the world?"

 

Asked if the teams could be punished for defying the ban, she said: "It is not really my ambition to punish anybody.

 

"They just have to recognise themselves that they are part of the rules of the game and they should be ready to face any kind of sanctions or measures.

 

"Then a decision will have to be taken."

What has been the response?

 

A petition urging Fifa not to uphold the ban has attracted more than a quarter of a million signatories.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, the issue was raised in Parliament.

 

"Before they start telling us what to do, they jolly well ought to sort their own house out," said Mrs May, citing the recent Fifa corruption claims which have seen dozens of former officials prosecuted or banned from the sport.

 

"Our football players want to recognise and respect those who have given their lives for our safety and security. It is absolutely right they should be able to do so."

 

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May said the wearing of poppies was a matter for the English and Scottish football associations to resolve, but there was a "clear message" from the House of Commons that "we want our players to be able to wear those poppies".

 

What do the rules say?

 

The International Football Association Board (Ifab) - made up of the four British FAs and Fifa - is responsible for formulating the laws of the game, which are then upheld by Fifa.

 

The laws cover everything from the field of play to the equipment used and how the result of a game is determined.

 

A section of law four, which deals specifically with players' equipment, reads: "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."

 

It does not specify what the sanctions are for breaching those rules.

Are other countries shown leniency?

 

Fifa has been accused of double standards after it emerged Republic of Ireland players wore a political symbol on their shirts in a friendly against Switzerland on 25 March to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising.

 

Damian Collins MP, chairman of the Commons' Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said he had called on Fifa to "clarify the issue".

 

The Easter Rising was an Irish rebellion against British rule, which lasted from 24 to 29 April 1916 and resulted in 485 deaths.

 

"That appears to be an absolutely classic example of leniency being shown to other countries," Collins said.

 

 

Can Fifa still change its mind?

 

The Ifab meets on Thursday, where the Scottish and English FA chiefs Stewart Regan and Glenn have said they will be hoping to convince officials to allow players to wear poppies. FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford will also be at the meeting.

 

FA chairman Greg Clarke told ITV News that English football's governing body was "negotiating in good faith with Fifa to try and find a solution".

 

"My personal opinion, and that as chair of the FA, is that of course we should wear poppies," said Clarke.

 

"That is our plan. There will be poppies at Wembley."

 

Former Culture, Media and Sport Secretary John Whittingdale MP said the England team should wear poppies - even if a points deduction is possible.

 

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Emma Barnett, he said: "For [Fifa] to try and brand the poppy as a political symbol shows a total misunderstanding.

 

"There are a number of reasons why we are already profoundly unhappy with Fifa's behaviour and conduct and this adds to that list."

 

A motion has been lodged at the Scottish Parliament calling for Fifa's poppy ban to be scrapped.

 

How would a points deduction affect the nations' qualifying chances?

 

England are top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group with seven points - two more than Lithuania and Slovenia - after three games, with Scotland fourth on four points.

 

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

 

Wales are third in Group D with five points, two behind Serbia and the Republic of Ireland.

Is it the same for other sports?

 

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has confirmed the England players will wear poppies on their shirts for the autumn Test against South Africa at Twickenham on 12 November.

 

World governing body World Rugby has been "very supportive", according to Ritchie.

 

"We are commemorating and remembering all people who have died in conflict. This is not a partisan thing or a political statement," Ritchie told BBC Radio 5 live.

 

"This is something that is just right as an act of remembrance, and it is right to do it on the weekend when we play South Africa."

 

Wales' rugby team will also wear a commemorative poppy on their shirt in their Test against Argentina on the same day.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37853386