November 18 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against England and Scotland after both countries defied football’s world governing body by wearing poppy emblems on black armbands in last week’s World Cup qualifier to commemorate Armistice Day which ended World War One.
“We can confirm disciplinary proceedings have been opened on this matter,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage nor speculate on any outcome or provide an estimated timeline.”
FIFA rules forbid players from wearing anything that can be perceived as a political or religious statement. According to the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB), which comprises Fifa and the four British football associations, players cannot wear “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.
Before last week’s game on November 11, English Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said players from both sides would wear black armbands carrying the poppy “as a point of principle”.
“If (FIFA) fine us, we’ll contest,” he said. “They have much bigger problems they should be concentrating on. I’m confident our legal position is right and our moral position is right. Our case is absolutely rock solid.”
His Scottish counterpart Stewart Regan said before the match his association was also prepared to challenge any FIFA sanction imposed.
A points deduction is the most serious sanction available but a fine is considered to be more likely. The two British FAs would then have an opportunity to go through FIFA’s appeals process.
Welsh players, who took on Serbia the following evening, abided by FIFA’s rules and did not wear the emblem while Northern Ireland, like Wales a less affluent body than England and Scotland, also decided not to risk being punished.
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