FIFA and poppies
On today's news, FIFA won't allow the England & Scotland teams to where poppies anywhere on their kit in next week's World Cup qualifier. Apparently because they are "a political statement".
Anyone else feel that's just an insulting and ridiculous stance by an organisation so recently riddled with corruption?
Hopefully common sense will prevail, but it would be good ( but unrealistic) to think that the English and Scottish administrations might stand up for themselves and go ahead anyway regardless of possible sanctions.
Comments
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Since when did a poppy become a political statement?
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I think ABM is correct as I think it has come up before. The problem is that most members of FIFA will not understand anything about Poppies and their
local importance. Surely this should have been sorted out months ago.David
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If "poppies" were political we would not be allowed to discuss on here.
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One problem I have when it comes to the discussions on wearing poppies is that it is becoming increasing the expectation that everyone should wear one. This could equally apply to the players of the two teams. You can imagine the likely uproar if a couple
of players did not want to wear them. Perhaps best we stick to FIFA rules and allow individuals to wear their poppies if they wish to when the game is finished?David
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No-body would stop me wearing poppy. The Poppy is a mark of respect for those who gave their lives for their country.
I agree that the poppy should be shown on armbands or clothing by those competing in contact sports. Also that the wearing of the poppy should be a matter of personal choice.
Cheers . K
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Thankfully those who are remembered by the poppy, not just in the UK, had the courage to deliver the freedoms those who now complain about the poppy the opportunity to complain without mortal sanction. 'Lest we forget', or moreover 'more they should think'
and develop an intellectual capability beyond corruption and greed
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So, it's ok to don shirts that advertise various products for commercial gain, but not alright to remember and respect thousands of people (of ALL religions and faiths and nationalities). Outrageous! Sorry David, disagree with you on this one. Personal choice
yes. Let the individual explain why they don't want to wear a poppy (if they wish to because that is non of my business) it's a free country isn't it?0 -
Whilst I have some sympathy with the view that the teams should just go ahead and wear them, without knowing what ,if any, FIFA's sanctions are likely to be it would be rash. It's possible that a point deduction could be one sanction, and in a tight group
that could be serious. It seems that FIFA are no better than they used to be under Mr Blatter.0 -
To me the wearing of a poppy is a personal choice and should remain so. It's also a UK thing which other countries may hold different views about.
Putting poppies onto football shirts is a recent innovation which only started in 2010 in the English Premier League. They were never sewn on before, so I can't see why it's suddenly a big issue.
I'm of the view that politics and sport should be kept well apart. And I reckon that is the reason FIFA make this ruling.
England, Scotland and Wales will be playing in a FIFA international competition - not a domestic one, so should respect FIFA rules.
Cheers
Bugs
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War sucks, no ifs or buts it really does. It takes lives & destroys families. The Poppy wearing is not a Government driven phenomenon it is a personal choice, a choice we all make, it's personal from the heart, mind & conscience. To put wearing a poppy on
a World stage is not an attack political or personal towards any other nation. I think FIFA are overstepping a line by dictating to any nation on this issue. I make no comment on FIFA's own issues-that would be political.0 -
I don't need to check my history books DD - I was commenting on the topic of the wearing of the poppy, not what other countries do.
As far as I can recall, I haven't seen other countries try to wear any emblem they associate with remembrance on their national football shirt when playing international matches.
One of the points I was making is that the poppy is worn voluntarily by those of us who wish to remember our fallen in all conflicts since 1914. (not just in World Wars by the way).
It's a matter for the UK (and Canada etc) and I don't think it belongs in a international competition involving some of the countries we may have had those conflicts with!
As I said, I think football is a sport and should be kept away from politics.
Cheers
Bugs
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Today I heard on the news that FIFA had banned the wearing of Poppies in the England V Scotland game and thought "what a cheek" based mainly on their record of dubious standards and hypocrisy.
This evening I saw an article by Martin Samuel who is one of FIFAs biggest critics, indeed he was one of the first journalists to raise the issues that we all now know about. Below, in bold italics,is part of what he said;
Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine commemorates its war dead, including 14 men who are regarded as Class A war criminals. What if Japan wished to mark this at a football match in some way?
For this reason, FIFA does not do war. In 2013, Josip Simunic of Croatia was banned for 10 matches for leading a crowd in Zagreb in a chant that was a relic of Second World War nationalism, when Croatia was
governed by allies of the Nazis. He missed the World Cup, but the message was clear.FIFA cannot pick sides in every military event through history, so wisely keeps its counsel. For the greater good, all nations should respect this and do the same.
Its easy to dismis the modern press but sometimes it still makes you think.
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The latest on the issue:-
Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said both FAs will defy the ban and accept any punishment
Glenn told BBC Sport that players from both sides would wear black armbands carrying the poppy symbol, traditionally used to remember those who died during World War One.
The SFA later confirmed it "intends to pay appropriate tribute by having the Scotland national team wear black armbands bearing poppies".
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Well done to both associations for standing up to the arrogant and self-important bullies who seem to populate the higher ranks of the FIFA hierarchy. Let them penalise/fine the associations if they want. Right will always be the right thing to do!
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The FA has issued the following statement:
"We fully respect the laws of the game and take our founding role on the International Football Association Board extremely seriously. The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial
message, nor does it relate to any one historical event."In keeping with the position agreed with FIFA back in 2011 and in what we believe is in accordance with law 4, para 4, The FA intends to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands
bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day."0
