Should the FA defy the poppy ban?
England are due to host Scotland at a World Cup qualifying match at Wembley on November 11 – Armistice Day – and there were hopes that the football teams would wear commemorative shirts to mark the occasion.
However Fifa have banned the footballers wearing poppies on the basis that they prohibit political, religious or commercial messages on shirts.
Prime Minister Theresa May has called Fifa’s ban ‘utterly outrageous’ after the world football governing body has maintained their stance on this.
“Before they start telling us what to do, they jolly well ought to sort their own house out,” said Mrs May, citing the recent Fifa corruption claims which have seen dozens of former officials prosecuted or banned from the sport.
“Our football players want to recognise and respect those who have given their lives for our safety and security. It is absolutely right they should be able to do so.”
A petition urging Fifa not to uphold the ban has attracted more than a quarter of a million signatories.
What are your views on Fifa’s ruling? Should the FA defy the poppy ban? Do you think the players should refuse to play if they are not allowed to commemorate Armistice Day with a poppy? Should a poppy be considered political, religious or commercial?
