By Andrew Warshaw
November 9 – The relationship between FIFA and the English football authorities has reached a new low after world football’s governing body again rejected a request for the England team to wear poppies on their shirts during Saturday’s friendly with Spain – 24 hours before Remembrance Sunday.
Even the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has intervened after FIFA, for the second time, stood firm and ruled that wearing poppies would contravene their rules barring any kind of social, political, religious or cultural symbols.
“We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football,” a statement said.
“Therefore, we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised.”
“There are a variety of options where The FA (Football Association) can continue supporting the cause of Remembrance.
“One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of Silence.”
Cameron, who campaigned strongly for England’s 2018 World Cup bid and made no secret of his irritation after the country received just two votes, condemned the poppy ban as “outrageous”.
The Prime Minister called for FIFA to reverse the “absurd” decision that is stopping the team having the remembrance symbol embroidered on their shirts.
“This seems outrageous,” he said.
“The idea that wearing a poppy to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom is a political act is absurd.
“Wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride.
“I hope FIFA will reconsider.”
Although the poppy request is a unique case, FIFA is worried that, if they relent, countries around the world would take advantage and also demand to wear various emblems, a stance that prompted widespread criticism – even amongst their own.
Britain’s new FIFA vice-president, Jim Boyce, is another who feels the ruling is insensitive.
“Personally I think there has to be a bit of common sense used when requests like this come in,” he told The Press Association.
“Armistice Day is a very important day in the FA calendar, as it is with other Associations, and I don’t think it would offend anybody to have a poppy on the shirts.
“I am not involved in the decision and I do understand there have to be rules.
“But as this is a special request from a member of FIFA and is not of a political nature I believe that common sense should prevail and that it should be looked at in a different light.”
The Sport and Olympics Minister, Hugh Robertson, meanwhile, has written to FIFA.
“We fully understand, and respect, FIFA’s rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with ‘commercial’, ‘political’, or ‘religious’ symbols or messages,” his letter said.
“The FA and FAW (Football Association of Wales) do not intend to contravene these rules.
“However, the British public feel very strongly about this issue which is seen as an act of national remembrance to commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of their country. It is not religious or political in any way.”
While the poppies will not be permitted during the game, England players will be allowed to wear them on their training kit at Wembley and while they stand for two minutes’ silence to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month.
So sensitive has the issue become that two members of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) managed to scale the walls of FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich and climb on to the roof with a banner protesting against the ban.
A FIFA spokesman confirmed the protest and said that Swiss police were in attendance.
The two protesters displayed a banner with two emroidered poppies that read: “English defence League. How dare Fifa disrespect our war dead and wounded. Support our troops.”
Whilst many might agree with sentiment, the embarrassment was just as great for the English FA as for FIFA, given that the EDL’s founder, Stephen Lennon, is a convicted football hooligan.
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