Fifa kick out poppy ban

ENGLAND and Germany football stars will wear poppies for tomorrow’s eve of Armistice friendly.

Fifa kicked its ban into touch after all four home nations were fined last year for donning the flower.

The ruling body has decided on more flexible guidelines as to what may constitute a political message.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “Remembering and commemorating the men and women who have served this country is ingrained in our nation.

“Many have made the ultimate sacrifice and we will be honouring them, both on and off the pitch, for our match against Germany at Wembley.”

He added: “I would like to thank Germany for also agreeing to wear the poppy for the match in a show of solidarity and unity at this important time.’’

President Reinhard Grindel of the DFB, the German FA, said: “I positively welcome the decision to allow both the English and the German national teams to wear poppy armbands because these are not about political propaganda in any way.”

A replica of The Truce statue, depicting the historic World War One ceasefire where football matches broke out between English and German troops on Christmas Day 1914, will be on display beside the Bobby Moore statue at Wembley on the day of the game. Sports minister Tracey Crouch said she was pleased at Fifa’s decision to “apply some common sense”.