For all the games being played at the weekend FIFA are not allowing poppies to be sown or put onto players shirts. The F.A have already had an appeal rejected.
TBH, I can see the argument against allowing this; if a precedent is set, then what other symbols will start to appear on the shirts of other countries? Political and religious statements could be made and that goes completely against the ethos of international sport, which should be absolutely free of both. I really don't think this is a PC 'offence' issue....plenty of other issues are, and I feel that criticism is often justified in many cases, but here, I think it is no more than a red herring.
However, given my contempt for FIFA, I would really like to see us do it anyway, take the fine in good grace and then move on.
The world governing body have always maintained that wearing poppies on shirts would contravene their rules governing what is allowed on shirts, but sports minister Hugh Robertson called them reconsider.
"I am writing to you in support of requests from The Football Association and The Football Association of Wales to ask you to consider allowing the England and Wales football teams to wear poppies on their shirts for Saturday’s international matches, taking place a day before Remembrance Sunday," Robertson's said in a letter to Jerome Valcke, Fifa's general secretary.
"We fully understand, and respect, Fifa’s rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with ‘commercial’, ‘political’, or ‘religious’ symbols or messages. The FA and FAW 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."
However, a Fifa statement issued in response said: "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. Therefore, we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised.
"There are a variety of options where The FA can continue supporting the cause of Remembrance. One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of Silence."
Utter madness, I'm really angry about this, an insult to men and women who have fought for this country, I'm with others wear them and take the rap later, the players can pick up the fine from their appearance fee.
I thought this was a joke at first ! But how disrespectful of fifa ! Shows how much power football has these days ! The FA should act because without those who died for us in the war, there surely wouldn't be any kind of FA today ! WEAR THE POPPIE WITH PRIDE !
We will see what the fa are made of , wear the poppies with pride and pay the fine then compare it against the peanuts they fine the racist chanting in the stadiums like the Spanish debacle
Remember FIFA are based in Switzerland, a predominantly german speaking country who did pretty well out of giving the nazis somewhere to stash their stolen gold. Dreadful country.
Personally I think England should wear the poppies and take any fine that comes to them
Couldnt agree more. Some things are too important and significant to let beauraucracy and petty muscle-flexing get in the way of. Without the heroic sacrifices of millions football teams would be having to give the Nazi salute before games (which 99.99999% of Germans would find abhorrent).
Its not a political symbol or against anyone just a token of remembrance for men and women around the world who had more guts and humanity than all of Blatter and his cronies put together.
Come on FA grow some bollocks and restore some faith for us supporters.
I'm totally behind our servicemen & the poppy appeal, but this poppy on the shirt business has only recently appeared & I see no massive issue here.
Have a minutes silence as we always have done & show our respect in the usual manner.
Let's kind of keep politics out of football. We go to escape all that.
Well said Cov E. A sensible post with no swearing, no preaching, no talking down to people, no high and mighty attitude. If only others could be like you.......
Hate Blatter....no time for FIFA.....but they are right on this,
So we wear our poppy's .......that 200 nations, with say at least one thing they wish to remember, possibly more, potentially in conflict with other nations. Where does it end. Nations can remember within their own national and civic life, last weeks football matches being an exemplary example but I do not feel the need to do this on an International level.
Its a British remembrance........not a world one and FIFA is a world organization......
As Floyd Montana said, NOT political, NOT religious, NOT commercial. The crescent moon and star in the middle of Turkey's international shirts however...
As Floyd Montana said, NOT political, NOT religious, NOT commercial. The crescent moon and star in the middle of Turkey's international shirts however...
And there's the rub. That is Turkey's flag so it that political or just a national emblem. It is clearly religious but then what about the crosses on the Swedish and other Scandinavian countries flags?
Exactly, most countries F.A. badges are neutral, those which contain symbols which are also religious should be changed, under FIFA's own reguations. Of course The F.A. could always officially change the badge to a poppy for the weekend...
Comments
FIFA don't allow shirts to be changed.
Stupid rule but let's not go down road.
Let me guess which "religious groups" got blamed. Church of England perhaps?
It's FIFA who are stopping it and their only religion is money.
It's a shame but not the end of the world.
I would argue that the poppy is neither of those but that's another point.
Saying religious groups is hardly being specific and you're the one mentioning C of E. Anyway, still hope the FA just go ahead and do it.
It is not religious
It is not commercial
It is not political.
So why shouldnt they allow it?
What next, no black arm bands?
Tosser at the top and by the looks of it, a mess filtering down the leg of it too.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
4:59PM GMT 08 Nov 2011
The world governing body have always maintained that wearing poppies on shirts
would contravene their rules governing what is allowed on shirts, but sports
minister Hugh Robertson called them reconsider.
"I am writing to you in support of requests from The Football Association
and The Football Association of Wales to ask you to consider allowing the England
and Wales football teams to wear poppies on their shirts for Saturday’s
international matches, taking place a day before Remembrance Sunday,"
Robertson's said in a letter to Jerome Valcke, Fifa's general secretary.
"We fully understand, and respect, Fifa’s rules on its member nations not
adorning their shirts with ‘commercial’, ‘political’, or ‘religious’ symbols
or messages. The FA and FAW 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."
However, a Fifa statement issued in response said: "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. Therefore,
we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot
be authorised.
"There are a variety of options where The FA can continue supporting the cause
of Remembrance. One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of
Silence."
I'm totally behind our servicemen & the poppy appeal, but this poppy on the shirt business has only recently appeared & I see no massive issue here.
Have a minutes silence as we always have done & show our respect in the usual manner.
Let's kind of keep politics out of football. We go to escape all that.
Dreadful country.
So politics in football isnt being affected by this.
Couldnt agree more. Some things are too important and significant to let beauraucracy and petty muscle-flexing get in the way of. Without the heroic sacrifices of millions football teams would be having to give the Nazi salute before games (which 99.99999% of Germans would find abhorrent).
Its not a political symbol or against anyone just a token of remembrance for men and women around the world who had more guts and humanity than all of Blatter and his cronies put together.
Come on FA grow some bollocks and restore some faith for us supporters.
Well said Cov E. A sensible post with no swearing, no preaching, no talking down to people, no high and mighty attitude. If only others could be like you.......
Hate Blatter....no time for FIFA.....but they are right on this,
So we wear our poppy's .......that 200 nations, with say at least one thing they wish to remember, possibly more, potentially in conflict with other nations. Where does it end. Nations can remember within their own national and civic life, last weeks football matches being an exemplary example but I do not feel the need to do this on an International level.
Its a British remembrance........not a world one and FIFA is a world organization......
They are a bunch of corrupt xxxxx and it;s unlikely they have a moral reasoning for banning it.
As for "keeping politics out of football" there is more politics within that organisation than on a monthly Question Time omnibus.