England could face points deduction in row over poppies

ENGLAND could face a World Cup points deduction after the FA last night insisted they would be wearing poppies when they face Scotland on Armistice Day.

The Scots have said they will do the same and could face similar sanctions.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said both FAs will defy the FIFA ban on political, religious or commercial messages on shirts and accept any punishment.

He said players from both sides would wear black armbands carrying the poppy symbol, with an FA statement saying: “The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message.

“In keeping with the position agreed with FIFA back in 2011 the FA intend 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.”

But FIFA general secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura said: “You could make many exceptions. Britain is not the only country that has been suffering from the result of war.

“Syria is an example. Why are we doing exceptions for just one country and not the rest of the world?

“They (England) just have to recognise they are part of the rules of the game and they should be ready to face any kind of sanctions.”

FIFA observers at the game would make a complaint then a decision on punishment, up to and including a points deduction, would be made by a disciplinary panel.

Sporting Tribune

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