FIFA say no to England players sporting a poppy on Armistice Day - own goal!

[Snelly]

In short, this is disgraceful. A total lack of common sense from the laughing stock that is FIFA.

If I was an England player, I would have poppies face painted on my cheeks for all to see when I belted out the national anthem. Sadly, none of our players will do this, in fact it seems to be beyond the capabilities of some of them to even sing our anthem.

My interest in the England football team is not very high, nor has it been for many years. That said, Spain are lovely to watch and I will probably try and see this game. Shame we won't score or they could have poppies on T shirts underneath to be revealed during a celebration!

Whether you like England or football or not, it seems so silly that on rememberance weekend, we can't use the occasion to raise awareness for our wounded.

The irony of the situation is that the guy at FIFA that made the decision is a Frenchman!

Or maybe Blatter is still sore that the Nazis didn't win.....

 

[ADB]

It appears FIFA love an opportunity to impose themselves and take the moral high ground, especially where England are concerned. In reality, what have we to lose by defying them - we certainly won't be hosting a World Cup in my lifetime.

 

[Mattyboy]

We should pull out of FIFA IMO. There has been talk in past of a breakaway group of nations.

 

[stevie_r]

We should pull out of FIFA IMO. There has been talk in past of a breakaway group of nations.

I wouldn't go as far as pulling out of FIFA but I would definitely have pulled out of these friendlies.

 

[Tommo21]

Don’t want to be controversial but why does the England football want to wear poppies. I know its remembrance but there will be millions of others participating in other sports without them. After all it’s only FIFA that’s looking stupid here. I’m sure there are other ways that the England team and individual players can show there support for such a worthy cause without taking it onto the field.

Now if some of the big earners donated a substantial sum then I would sit up and take more notice.

 

[Snelly]

Tommo. They want to waer them - end of story. Why shouldn't they? Why should FIFA deny them?

 

[Dodger]

Scotland are wearing theirs on their tracky tops during the Anthem.

Really don't see what the big issue is,they will pay their respects in some way at least.

Not every team did the poppy thing last weekend either but I didn't hear folk slating the teams that chose not to......

 

[JustOne]

Don’t want to be controversial but why does the England football want to wear poppies. I know its remembrance but there will be millions of others participating in other sports without them. After all it’s only FIFA that’s looking stupid here.

I don't think it makes FIFA look stupid... what's football got to do with the war anyway? I take my hat off to FIFA for keeping the two seperate.

 

[USER1999]

I can see FIFA s point of view. It opens the door for other countries to also put symbols on their shirts. It is easier to say no to all. They will have poppies on their track suits during the anthems. That is enough, surely?

 

[SS2]

Now if some of the big earners donated a substantial sum then I would sit up and take more notice.

Tommo is quite right: wearing poppies is a symbolic thing; each player handing over a decent chunk of cash that would go directly to help the poppy appeal fund would be a much better plan. Unlikely to happen, though.

 

[lobthewedge]

The real tragedy is that we listen to what FIFA say in the first place.

Another case of Britain being dictated to by a room full of trumped up, corrupt little suits somewhere in Europe. Once upon a time we used to be GREAT.

F*** them, wear your poppy with pride!

 

[evahakool]

F*** them, wear your poppy with pride!

+1

 

[Dodger]

FIFA crumble.........and here's me thinking they had a set of stones.

Poppies on armbands all roond.

 

[Whee]

Same old FIFA, making a stance and then backing down.

Still don't agree with mixing politics.

 

[Naybrains]

Can't believe FIFA won't allow the England team to wear commemorative Jimmy Saville tracksuits

 

[Snelly]

Same old FIFA, making a stance and then backing down.

Still don't agree with mixing politics.

How is a poppy political? The point of the poppy as a symbol is to remember and honour those people who have given their lives fighting for their country and it is a symbolic gesture throughout the Commonwealth. Millions of poppies will be sold in Canada, Australia etc. It is not about England or any left or right in politics. It is entirely neutral politically, morally and religously.

The poppy is not a celebration of victory. It is not a judgmental statement on the nature and validity of war. It is just a symbolic gesture to illustrate that we remember and thank those that have put themselves in harms way to protect the lives we now lead.

I wear mine with pride and I absolutely expect our national sporting teams to do the same when playing a sporting fixture on the night before Rememberance Sunday.

Still if you would rather side with the most blatently corrupt and inept ruling body in world sport then you go for it. But they are wrong on this and so are you.

 

[DaveM]

Poppy day also did not start in this country. It was started in Canada, so how can it be political. It is also to remember the dead in all conflits world wide. Not any one country.

 

[sawtooth]

FIFA are arses but so are the FA.

Plain black armband on all shirts would have been just as respectful and we could have done without all of the fuss.

 

[BROOKIE]

dont know what the problem is,they should be wearing pansies,and shirts with a yellow stripe down the back,
England...football..just don't go together.