Fifa to lift ban on displaying poppies after talks with UK football associations

[davieG]

Fifa is set to lift the ban on displaying the poppy after talks with football associations in the UK.

Last year, football's world governing body fined England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for their use of the poppy to commemorate Armistice day, deeming it to be a political symbol.

England and Scotland wore the emblem on black armbands during their World Cup qualifier at Wembley last November.

Wales and Northern Ireland were fined for displaying it in their stadiums.

The ensuing row drew criticism from the Prime Minister, with Theresa May calling Fifa's stance "utterly outrageous".

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

Last week Fifa is understood to have sent out a draft proposal to its member nations with revised provisions that could see the poppy permitted if opposing teams and the competition organiser for the relevant match both accept its use in advance.

Who, What, Why: Which countries wear poppies?

The new law is expected to be passed in time for November's international games, which are to be played between 6 and 14 November - a period that incorporates Remembrance weekend.

England are set to play Germany in a friendly at Wembley during this time and it is understood the German FA has no objections over the use of the poppy.

England players are now expected to either wear armbands with a poppy on them or have the poppy embroidered on their shirts in the same way as Premier League teams.

The match will be given the go-ahead provided both countries avoid the World Cup play-offs. To do so, England need to beat Slovenia at Wembley next month to secure automatic promotion while a draw is enough for Germany against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.

The FA declined to comment until the decision to change the game's laws has been fully ratified.

Last year, England and Scotland displayed the poppy on a black armband in an unsuccessful attempt to circumvent the regulations.

That echoed similar actions in 2011 when, under now-departed leadership, Fifa permitted England, Scotland and Wales to use armbands.

Football bosses stopping UK players wearing poppies is utterly outrageous, says PM

The new wording of Fifa's law tightens the definition of what is deemed a 'political' symbol prohibiting:

the commemoration of any living or dead person

political parties or groups

any local or national government

discriminatory organisations

any group whose aims / actions would offend a notable number of people

any specific political act / event

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the guardian organisation of the sport's laws, is expected to approve the amendment in early October.

The issue looked likely to be pursued in the courts at one stage after Fifa sanctioned the UK's football associations for using the poppy late last year.

Instead, with the prospect of increased fines being levied for repeat offences, negotiations have taken place to find a solution.

The emphasis will now be on competition organisers, such as Uefa and Fifa, to determine if a particular symbol is 'political' under the new regulation.

It is believed the fines levied against the UK associations last year will not now need to be paid.

[Guest MattP]

A sensible decision from FIFA, bizarre.

[AKCJ]

Just jobsworthy to ban it in the first place.

 

Common sense prevails, at last.

[foxy boxing]

Correct decision, but they shouldn't have been banned in the first place. they are a symbol of rememberence of those who lost their lives in conflict.

[purpleronnie]

I'm sure Fifa in their little bubble didn't realise what an outcry banning the wearing of a poppy would cause and simply don't want it for a 2nd time.

[Sir Shep]

Good, wearing a poopy isn't political it's showing respect to those who gave their lives for us to enjoy the freedoms we have now. 

[Wymsey]

Don't think James McClean will be too pleased..

 

It's a traditional that has (I think) been around for decades and it's simply not a political symbol.

Politics shouldn't come into war death (well, apart from the Iraq war invasion/Tony Blair).

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

16 hours ago, Sir Shep said:

wearing a poopy

I hope FIFA does have rules against this

[Finnegan]

19 hours ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Don't think James McClean will be too pleased..

 

It's a traditional that has (I think) been around for decades and it's simply not a political symbol.

Politics shouldn't come into war death (well, apart from the Iraq war invasion/Tony Blair).

 

I think we should be allowed to wear the poppy and I'm glad fifa are backing off. 

 

That said, the more we make Armistice Day about honouring contemporary war dead instead of actually remembering the Great War, the less leg we have to stand on when claiming it isn't political. 

 

If we make it about honouring all of our armed forces even in current / recent conflicts then I don't think we have much ground to be uppity if other nations raise a brow. I mean what would be the case if we were trying to wear them against a country we'd recently deployed to*? 

 

 

(Which is obviously how McLean feels.)

[Sir Shep]

6 hours ago, Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo said:

I hope FIFA does have rules against this

Touché! 

[Sir Shep]

22 hours ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Don't think James McClean will be too pleased..

 

It's a traditional that has (I think) been around for decades and it's simply not a political symbol.

Politics shouldn't come into war death (well, apart from the Iraq war invasion/Tony Blair).

McClean can do one, he's happy to earn a living in this country so he can shut up when it comes to honouring our armed forces. If he doesn't want to partake then that's fine and his choice. 

 

As as for your second point I agree politics shouldn't come into it, after all squadies, sailors and airmen/women don't chose to invade or defend, they just follow orders, usually from hapless safe at home politicians. 

[RonnieTodger]

You can disagree with recent conflicts and be happy to live in the UK. James McClean is an angry little shit of a footballer but I completely get why he doesn't want to wear one. 

I wear one, but that's my choice and it's his not to.