FIFA bans Poppies on footballl shirts

[Gromit]

// Fifa have rejected a Government request that England and Wales be allowed to wear commemorative poppies in this weekend's friendlies, claiming the move would "jeopardise the neutrality of football." //

http://www.telegraph....-Government-plea.html

Not sure how this is any different than a team wearing black armbands or having a minutes silence before a match. Would it be disrespectful to England's guests to just ignore FIFA and pay any fine that might be imposed?

[pa___ul3]

I don't think so piggy, I don't agree with our presence in Afghanistan (based on the knowledge I have) nor in many previous wars, I'm not the type who'll shout support for our troops from the rooftops, but I wear a poppy as a show of respect for those who gave their lives in the 2 World Wars, those who I believe were fighting for the right reasons.

[ichkeria]

"On the radio this morning I heard that FIFA has given the ref. permission to abandon the match if any England player goes on the field wearing a poppy."

No, I think you may have the wrong end of the poppy stalk. FIFA has said the game can't go ahead if the special shirts with the embroidered poppies are worn instead of shirts without them. That might seem a bit harsh, but it's the natural conseqence of saying "you may not wear specially altered shirts". Not much point having a ban if you don't enforce it.
I'm afraid that if the game doesn't go ahead it will be the FA's fault, regardless of the "is it right to wear a poppy" etc debate. Because presumably there is no shortage of "ordinary" shirts they could wear.
I'm sure the game will go ahead though. Either if FIFA back down or the FA swallow their pride.

[tara20]

I like rowan's idea.
Or a black armband with a poppy on it.

[elgreco]

My Grandfather died in the First World War and my Father fought in the Second for reasons far more important than a football game. Anyone who lost family in either war would justifiably be offended by the use of the word 'fascist'. Not a nice choice of words.

[anotheoldgit]

pa___ul3

/// I'm not the type who'll shout support for our troops from the rooftops,///

Even if you don't agree with our troops being in Afghanistan etc, it is not the fault of all those young men and women who are out there, they are ordered to do their job by our politicians, and although you may not agree with the politics you should at least show support for all these brave men and women.

Like all such jobs ie. Police, Fire Fighters, Ambulance crews, etc. they all have their own particular job to do, and we should be appreciative that some choose to do these jobs.

[ichkeria]

The fact that this debate has quickly come round to the rights and wrongs of various wars, some of them current, I think illustrates my personal view that FIFA is right here. It is entirely appropriate for us in Britain to remember our war dead, but taking this memorial into the field of international sport immediately makes it problematical. The Remembrance Day issue itself may not be controversial in the context of England v Spain, but what if (I think someone mentioned this in a separate thread) Armenia wanted to commemorate the Armenian massacre say, or Georgia wanted a memorial logo to commemorate the dead of the 2008 war, and there was a chance they might be playing Russia (or even if there wasn't). I think the argument that international football should steer away from this sort of thing is quite powerful.

[pa___ul3]

I know AOG, and I appreciate that, I'm not for one second saying I'm against what they are doing , as individuals, I'm just saying I'm not the type to go around decalring 'we must support our troops', I thought it may add strength to my point in that I'm not that type, but I will still show my respect by wearing a poppy.

[kawakiri]

I'd have my face painted with a poppy design, that wouldn't be part of the kit!

[sir.prize]

So the Scottish FA have decided to wear embroidered poppies on their tracksuits before their game in Cyprus on Friday. Good for them.
And no doubt FIFA will still break their own rule and permit the referee to wear a shirt bearing the commercial adidas logo. Shame on you.

[jake-the-peg]

So Addidas is a political logo?

[sir.prize]

No Jake. It is a commercial logo - and FIFA regulations do not permit religious, political OR commercial logos.

[Davethedog]

I take it that if we were to play Argentina and they had a design of an excocet missile to commemorate the fallen of the Malvinas that would be acceptable?

[Kayless]

they are called the falklands.

[ludwig]

Jake

// But when you assume everyone should have the same opinion, should show respect to a cause that you respect...

That's fascism //

How do you square that with the fact you're always banging on about global warming and how everyone should reduce their carbon footprint.
Does that make you a fascist? - or does it just mean you've got an opinion?

What utter nonsense.

Whatever your hatred of the armed forces stems from, you should get over it and move on. Do you believe eveyone who served in the World wars was a blood thirsty thug who enjoyed killing people?

[DTCwordfan]

Umbro pays FIFA a bucket load of money probably

as to roses on shirt for rugby, rugby is not part of the Fifa or FA remit, thank God.

as to approaching FIFA, probably dumb but with the "hostility" between the FA and FIFA post the World Cup bid, they may feel that this is a battle not worth fighting.... FIFA do have a point as one could see all sorts of issues with Iranians putting anti Israeli slogans on their shirts, or a country putting a pig motif on versus an Islamic state.....and all the rest.

The solution is in what they are doing - wrapping the poppy around the event re tracksuits, the pitch, the screens, a minutes respect etc etc and then medium term take it up with FIFA with the backing of the Home Unions, the Commonwealth, the States and the Germans........

Its all got a bit out of control or the proverbial Mountain out of a Molehill.

[sir.prize]

And no doubt England's new sponsors Vauxhall will be emblazoned on the team's shirts.

[flobadob]

Look, it's simple. No religious or political paraphernalia should be worn on soccer kits, especially on a world stage. End of, get over it. It would achieve nothing to wear them anyway and the rules are there for a valid reason.

[sir.prize]

Flobadob. You seem to be missing something. A poppy insignia is not political or religious. However FIFA has now announced that

England players will wear black armbands during the Spain game on Saturday.

The FA will place a poppy wreath on the pitch during the national anthems.

There will be a one-minute silence ahead of kick-off.

Players will wear training tops with embroidered poppies on match day.

Players will wear poppy-embossed anthem jackets during the national anthems.

Military representatives will be in the presentation party prior to kick-off.

That seems to be an excellent solution.