Fifa says Poppy ban reports a ‘distortion of facts’

Fifa says it has not banned the display of poppies by England and Scotland footballers, insisting any such claim is a “distortion of the facts”.

Both England and Scotland asked to wear black armbands bearing a poppy during their World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Friday, which is Armistice Day.

Rules forbid “political” statements on shirts and Fifa says it does not have the power to grant such requests.

Northern Ireland and Wales will wear plain armbands in their fixtures.

Fifa says it has reminded the four football associations of the rules - though the FA of Wales said Fifa “turned down a request for the Wales national team to wear poppies on their shirts or on armbands”.

England Under-21s wore poppies on black armbands during their win over Italy on Thursday night.

Football’s rules are laid out by the International Football Association Board - which is made up of the four British FAs and Fifa. Any breach of the rules is dealt with by Fifa’s disciplinary committee - which Fifa says is an independent body.

It added it could not pre-judge what symbols would constitute a breach of rules.

Fifa said that when contacted by the four FAs about wearing poppy symbols, it “reminded them about law four” - which states players are not allowed to wear “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.

The sport’s governing says it “reiterated” to the FAs that “only the independent disciplinary committee can decide” if the rules have been broken and what sanction should apply.

“The perception that Fifa ‘banned’ anything is a distortion of the facts,” it added.

English FA chief executive Martin Glenn has said it will contest any fine. “Fifa have much bigger problems they should be concentrating on,” he said.

“I’m confident our legal position is right and our moral position is right. Our case is absolutely rock solid.”

Northern Ireland - who host Azerbaijan in Belfast on Friday - will wear plain black armbands, as will Wales when they play Serbia on Saturday.

Fans at Cardiff City Stadium will form a poppy mosaic before kick-off.

The Football Association of Wales said it could not risk a financial penalty or point deduction.

BBC