Poppies Permitted After PM Pleas

Fifa has capitulated to pressure from the British Prime Minister and Prince William saying it will now permit the wearing of poppies by England, Scotland and Wales football teams to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

Fifa had originally banned the wearing of poppies under its rule forbidding political, religious or commercial messages on international jerseys.

However, in a compromise, Fifa has now agreed to the wearing of poppies on black armbands during the upcoming internationals.

In his letter to the Fifa president Sepp Blatter, David Cameron acknowledged Fifa's rule but argued it was an almost universal symbol throughout the United Kingdom, to remember those who had died in times of war.

“We fully understand, and respect, FIFA’s rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with ‘commercial’, ‘political’, or ‘religious’ symbols or messages. However, wearing a poppy is an almost universal symbol throughout the United Kingdom – people from all backgrounds and walks of life across the country join together in doing this as an act of national remembrance, to commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of their country. I can assure you that there are no political connotations whatsoever to wearing a poppy," the Prime Minister wrote.

He added: "I do hope that we will be able to find a sensible way through which allows British participants in this weekend’s matches to commemorate those who have fallen in conflict.”

Representatives from the England and Wales teams said they had agreed to the compromise, while Scotland will consult their opponents before making a decision.

England will wear the armbands in Saturday's friendly against Spain.

The Football Association of Wales confirmed its players will wear their armbands for their match with Norway on Saturday while the Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan said they hoped to adopt the same approach for the friendly against Cyprus in Larnaca on Friday night.

"The FA welcomes Fifa's decision and thanks them for agreeing to this," the Football Association said in a statement.

(DW)