FIFA being PRICKS again

[bazzer]

War veterans have condemned international football chiefs for refusing to allow the England team to wear poppies on their shirts when they play Spain next Saturday.

The Football Association had wanted players to display the Armistice Day emblem on their kit on the eve of Remembrance Sunday, but Fifa rules mean no changes can be made to official kit.

George Batt, general secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, condemned the decision, describing it as "disgraceful".

The 86-year-old, who fought in the Second World War, said: "I don't really understand it. I can't see any harm in wearing a poppy. You surely don't need rules and regulations in Fifa like this. It's so sad.

"I would think about 90% of the population wear them. I'm lost for words. I think it's a bit childish because, after all is said and done, if it wasn't for us blokes Fifa wouldn't be here. They wouldn't be playing football.

Despite the decision the squad will wear poppies on their kit on Armistice Day when they train at Wembley ahead of the match, the FA said. The special training kit will then be auctioned for charity.

A spokesman said: "The FA are proud supporters of our armed forces and we are only too pleased to recognise those that have sacrificed their lives for the nation.

"The England senior team will proudly wear poppies on their training kit and all our staff and representative teams will stop to observe the Armistice Day silence."

The Poppy Appeal, which is in its 90th year, is run by the Royal British Legion and money raised helps thousands of serving and ex-service men and women and their families.

The appeal raised £36 million in 2010 and is hoping to reach £40 million this year.

[Begbie]

I can sort of see FIFA's reasons. Countries could start wearing images and symbols that mean a lot to their own inhabitants but are insulting to others. eg. Iran wearing symbols that attack Israel.

[bazzer]

A Poppy is not insulting to anyone .it,s a symbol of RESPECT

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch...ance/poppy.htm

[imperial109]

If it was true political symbols that was going on the shirts, then I would agree with Begs. But the poppy is the symbol of remembrance, a day dedicated to the fallen which is held the world over, this is just typical that FIFA would want to make something like this un-needlessly political.

[jake robinson]

Seeing as most of the prem is streamed accross the whole world, can't see it upsetting anyone as most of the prem teams usually have poppies on their shirts this time of year.I saw that Man City did, the other day and I am sure more will this afternoon. Agree with Bazzer there. In no way possible is it going to upset the Spainish, they and us are the only ones probably to watch this match.

[Begbie]

I'm making no comparisons between the two cases but what would happen if, say, an Islamic Republic decided to wear a symbol in memory of 'the martyrs'? Some people say that suicide bombers are martyrs and died in a war. A ridiculous idea to us but not so ridiculous to many others throughout the world.

FIFA had to make the decision. Ban them all or have an international political uproar every time that a team decided to wear a symbol on their shirts.

As I said in my first post in this thread, I can understand FIFA's reasons. It doesn't mean that I agree with them about the poppy.

[Tats]

The fa should grow a backbone and say fuck you to fifa and wear what they want on the shirts .

[glenman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tats

The fa should grow a backbone and say fuck you to fifa and wear what they want on the shirts .

They are afraid of the 1000 Swiss francs fine.