Among the FIFA latest news and updates that hit headlines is that England and Scotland have both defied FIFA rules by wearing armbands embossed with a poppy symbol for their World Cup qualification match. FIFA then filed a disciplinary action against both teams. This could disqualify them for the 2018 World Cup.
FIFA stands firm to the rules forbidding "political" statements on shirts. BBC Sports News reported that the idea that gave birth to both England and Scotland's defiance began even before they met on Nov.11, Armistice Day. Players from both countries wore black armbands bearing the poppy during England's 3-0 win at Wembley, last Friday.
All players cannot wear any "political, religious or personal slogans, and statements or images" according to rule-making International Football Association Board, comprising members of the four British football associations.
Fifa has rejected the request for England & Scotland to wear poppies on their armbands on 11 November
More: https://t.co/mzNod2QS6a pic.twitter.com/alLrdxDxO7
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 1, 2016
The compromise of wearing the poppy on an armband was already brokered before. It was when England won a 1-0 friendly game over Spain at Wembley on Nov. 12, 2011. And in the same year, Scotland players also wore poppies on armbands and on their tracksuits in a match against Cyprus.
According to Metro, both England and Scotland football associations said that they have already planned to defy FIFA's orders, despite the risk of anything from a fine to a point deduction or any possible worse-case scenario. The English Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said that the players from both sides would wear black armbands carrying the poppy as a point of principle, not politics.
He also said to the FIFA that they would contest any charge or punishment that FIFA claimed it was illegal. On the other hand, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association Stewart Regan said before the match that they were also prepared to challenge any FIFA sanction imposed.
I have written to #FIFA President Infantino asking him to reverse the poppy ban from the England vs Scotland match pic.twitter.com/PbFgaZtG7p — Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) November 1, 2016
FIFA replied that they did not ban the display of poppies and that any such claim was a distortion of the facts. Football rules were laid out by IFAB and any breach is dealt with by FIFA disciplinary committee, which FIFA said it was an independent body.
However, FIFA secretary General Fatma Samoura told BBC Sport last week that they have to apply uniformly and across the 211 member associations the laws of the game. People must remember that Britain is not the only country that has been suffering from the result of war.
The worst penalty, for now, is a point deduction for both team but a fine is considered to be more likely.
Do you think FIFA should really ban players from wearing poppies?
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