In what will come as a bizarre news for English football fans, FIFA have now blocked the England national team from wearing poppies on their jerseys in the upcoming international break.
After the end of the current week, teams from around the world will be busy in the World Cup qualifiers and England face Scotland at Wembley on the 11th of November in a game that can decide their position in the group.
The Three Lions have traditionally sported the poppies on their shirt to mark their respect for the people who have died for their country but FIFA, a controversy riddled body has now authorized FA to ban England and Scotland players from wearing the poppies in this game at Wembley.
This game will be played on Armistice day just two days before the Remembrance Sunday and it comes as a huge blow for the national side who were all set to show their respect to the families of the people who are ready to give their lives for the country.
This is not even the first time that the national team was banned from wearing such poppies as just 5 years ago, an international friendly with Spain fell close to the Remembrance Sunday but England were not allowed to wear them on their jersey during the game.
Though the players finally settled with wearing them on their black arm-band, it was a compromise that did not go down well with the English supporters.
And it is now understood that FIFA have imposed a similar ban on England and are firm on their stance in this matter.
They have revealed that the poppies relate to their ban on commercial, political or religious symbols on players’ shirts and that they will not be allowed to wear them during the game.
Reports also suggest that though the veterans of the game want the FA to retaliate, it looks more likely that the governing body in England will cave into FIFA’s demands and will ban the sentiment.
This ban has seen a lot of ex-players show their strength against it.
Falklands veteran Simon Weston felt that it was a matter of pride and that the FA should rather pay the fine that comes after it than ban their tradition.
Speaking to the media, he said, “The FAs of both Scotland and England should stand up and be counted.”
“Both those countries took part in both World Wars and should take the lead. They should pay any fine Fifa has to give them. This is not a political gesture.
“Who are Fifa? A bunch of people who make a hell of a lot of money and turn round and treat people like cattle. How dare they?,” he added.
It is understood that the FA is planning other methods of paying their tributes and is in talks with FIFA about the same. They hope to have a rendition of the Last Post ring through the terraces and a two-minute silence while the England players are set to visit a war memorial and poppy sellers will be in the stands.
It is an interesting stance from FIFA that will cause even more problems if changed so it will be interesting to see if what the FA’s of both countries do to honor the souls of all those who fight and die for the country.
Do you think FA is right in their ban?