davieG Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Guardian War veterans have condemned Fifa for refusing to allow the Englandteam to wear poppies on their shirts when they play Spain at Wembley in a friendly next Saturday.The Football Association had wanted players to display the Armistice Day emblem on their kit on the eve of Remembrance Sunday, but Fifa rules mean no changes can be made to official kit. George Batt, the general secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, condemned the decision, describing it as "disgraceful". The 86-year-old, who fought in the second world war, said: "I don't really understand it. I can't see any harm in wearing a poppy. You surely don't need rules and regulations in Fifa like this. It's so sad. "I would think about 90% of the population wear them. I'm lost for words. I think it's a bit childish because, after all is said and done, if it wasn't for us blokes Fifa wouldn't be here. They wouldn't be playing football." Despite the decision the squad will wear poppies on their kit on Armistice Day when they train at Wembley ahead of the match, the FA said. The special training kit will then be auctioned for charity. A spokesman said: "The FA are proud supporters of our armed forces and we are only too pleased to recognise those that have sacrificed their lives for the nation. The England senior team will proudly wear poppies on their training kit and all our staff and representative teams will stop to observe the Armistice Day silence." The Poppy Appeal, which is in its 90th year, is run by the Royal British Legion and money raised helps thousands of serving and ex-service men and women and their families. The appeal raised £36m in 2010 and is hoping to reach £40m this year. A spokesman for the charity said: "The Royal British Legion is grateful for the widespread support it enjoys from the sporting community. Once again this year the support has been phenomenal. "However, we appreciate that showing support is not always possible under some regulations and we would never seek to impose ourselves in these situations." what FIFA said: World football's governing body said in a statement: "Fifa fully acknowledges the significance of the poppy appeal and the ways in which it helps commemorate Remembrance Day." But on wearing poppies on shirts, they said: "Players' equipment are that they should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages. The same regulations are applied globally, and uniformly, in the event of similar requests by other nations to commemorate historical events."
Filbert_Ross Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 i agree, its the same rules for everyone and not a case of picking on England.
I am Rod Hull Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 i agree, its the same rules for everyone and not a case of picking on England. I`m with you. The poppy appeal is my favourite charity but rules are rules....
Ashley Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 How is wearing a poppy political? Its only showing a sign of respect for the fallen, no?
Guest MattP Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 How is a poppy political? The FA should show some balls for once and just do it regardless of what FIFA say or do. Pay the fine if you have to. For an organisation who dont like anything political they have made some strange decisions regarding world cup hosts.
accessory Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 How is a poppy political? The FA should show some balls for once and just do it regardless of what FIFA say or do. Pay the fine if you have to. For an organisation who dont like anything political they have made some strange decisions regarding world cup hosts. Would the FA have given serious thought to this idea if we'd been playing Germany or Italy this weekend? They really know how to win friends and influence people..
Guest MattP Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Would the FA have given serious thought to this idea if we'd been playing Germany or Italy this weekend? They really know how to win friends and influence people.. I don't understand what you are saying? We shoudnt honour our war dead if we were playing against countries who were fighting for facism 70 years ago against us? Would you expect the Americans not to do all their stuff on 4th of July if they were playing England, of course you wouldnt, I dont see the difference. Do you really think the Germans would be bothered? We all had them on in Nuremburg when Haye fought Valuev, the Germans were very interested in them and what they represented, it's a shame they culdnt do something similar as they would have too much guilt attached to it despite a lot of there boys being forced into it with no choice.
purpleronnie Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 How about each player gets a temporary poppy tattoo on their forehead?
Raj Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Or just donate the match fee to the Charity that it represents...The Royal British Legion.
DB11 Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 So why aren't The FA or FIFA doing anything about every club who wore an embroidere poppy on their shirt at the weekend?
Samilktray Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Because it wasnt international football at the weekend.
J.Lisemore Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Yet their are internationals wearing it for their club sides.
goose2010 Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Just wear poppy armbands then? i agree, but to be honest what would fifa do if they just went ahead and put a poppy on the shirt? They should just put them on all the training gear and maybe a massive one on the centre cirlce before kick off??
ajthefox Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Not to have a dig at DavieG but I think the term ban may have clouded the judgement of some reactions. There is a rule there in place and Fifa are sticking to it. Ok let they could let it slide, but then that sets a precedent and besides, I don't know anyone is that bothered. We dont have to wear poppies you know..
Houdini Logic Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 I understand why people think it's silly to ban it, but astonished that some people don't understand why it could possibly portray a political message - bit worrying.
Yojoe36 Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Bet no one would be saying anything if we were playing Germany.
davieG Posted 8 November 2011 Author Posted 8 November 2011 Not to have a dig at DavieG but I think the term ban may have clouded the judgement of some reactions. There is a rule there in place and Fifa are sticking to it. Ok let they could let it slide, but then that sets a precedent and besides, I don't know anyone is that bothered. We dont have to wear poppies you know.. I put quotes from both sides in the argument.
Webbo Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 It's an understandable stance from Fifa. Not really a big deal is it?
accessory Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Government wades in As if that's going to scare Sepp..
Guesty Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Rules are rules so I can undertand them sticking to it so it doesn't create a precedent but common sense should have come into it somewhere. Even if it's a compromise on wearing poppies on black armbands. Then everyones happy.
accessory Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 Jack Wilshere on Twitter England team should wear poppies on saturday. Its the nations tradition and it would be disrespectful not to! #ENGLISHANDPROUD The "tradition" of wearing poppies on shirts is all of EIGHT years old. We know because our club kicked it off. I'm sure his club and manager are proud of his hashtag too..
Webbo Posted 8 November 2011 Posted 8 November 2011 I'm sure his club and manager are proud of his hashtag too.. Why would they care?
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