Tri-Service

Royal British Legion Urges Fifa To Allow Poppies

The Royal British Legion (RBL) has urged Fifa "in the strongest terms" to rethink its ban on England and Scotland players wearing a poppy.

It comes after England and Scotland's Football Associations decided players would wear black armbands with poppy emblems when they meet in a World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day, in defiance of the world governing body.

FIFA's general secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura told the BBC "any kind of sanction" could follow the decision, including the teams being deducted points in their qualifying bid.

The organisation bans political, religious or commercial messages on shirts. In a statement, the RBL said:

"The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. It has no political, religious or commercial meaning. This small red flower that grew on the devastated battlefields of the First World War is a solemn reminder of the cost of war and the price of peace."

"The red poppy is worn so that we never forget the commitment and sacrifices of the serving, never forget those who need help to live on through the consequences of war, and always remember our troubled world needs reconciliation and peace.

"Since 1921 the Legion has protected the red poppy from political or partisan misuse and ensured it remains a symbol that can be worn with pride by those of all ages, backgrounds and political and religious beliefs.

"Many nations respect and honour the sacrifices of their Armed Forces, and the red poppy is an international symbol worn around the world."

"Each year 1.5 million poppies are sent to 50 countries worldwide, there are distinct red poppies worn in Canada, Australia and New Zealand for remembrance, and in France they wear the bleuet.

"We can see no reason why this simple symbol cannot be worn by players at international football matches should they choose to.

"We ask you, Fifa, in the strongest terms, that you rethink your approach to remembrance and the use of the poppy, and permit players to honour the commitment and sacrifices of the Armed Forces."

The English FA said it takes the rules "extremely seriously" but disagreed with FIFA's view that the poppy was political, saying:

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

Wales, who will play Serbia in Cardiff on November 12, have yet to say if they will also ignore the rules.

The news comes after a poll by Forces TV found 99.3% were in favour of allowing players to wear poppies, with only 0.7% thinking it was a bad idea.

Theresa May has called FIFA's rule "outrageous" but Samoura warned the Prime Minister not to interfere.

When asked if an exception could be made for an act of remembrance, the Senegalese official said:

"Britain is not the only country that has been suffering from the result of war. Syria is an example. My own continent has been torn by war for years. Why are we doing exceptions for just one country and not the rest of the world?"

“I would just ask anybody to refrain from political interference."

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Theresa May said: “I think the stance that has been taken by FIFA is utterly outrageous”

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

And in reference to FIFA and ongoing allegations of corruption as the organisation, she said: "Before they start telling us what to do, they jolly well ought to sort their own house out."

The row is in contrast to other sports. England’s rugby union players have permission from World Rugby to wear jerseys with the poppy imprinted during their game against South Africa on November 12.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said: "Poppies have always been an integral part of our situation, so the England team will be wearing it on the shirt."