Welshman will rule on football poppies

THE man who will decide if England and Scotland need to b be punished for d defying Fifa over wearing poppies is a Welshman.

FA of Wales P President David Griffiths, pictured, was the Fifa match commissioner for the World Cup showdown at Wembley when the two teams contravened rules by wearing poppies on black armbands.

It is Griffiths’ report that will hold the key as to whether Wales’ British colleagues are fined – or even docked crucial World Cup qualification points.

Griffiths’ appointment as match delegate for the Wembley game put Wales in an awkward position as they decided what to do about poppies for their own crucial game with Serbia.

Wales decided not to defy Fifa themselves for fear of an official Serbia protest, which could lead to Chris Coleman’s aces being docked Group D points.

England and Scotland will not make a formal complaint against one another.

However, given the high-profile nature of the whole row, which even involved the Prime Minister, Griffiths will be obliged to say something about it in his official report to Fifa on the game.

His choice of words in that report will determine whether a disciplinary hearing needs to take place.

The irony of a Welshman making the ultimate call won’t be lost on England and Scotland.

Their officials held top-level talks with counterparts at the FA of Wales to decide what to do over the wearing of poppies on their shirts.

England and Scotland went ahead with their own actions on Armistice Day and are adamant they should not be punished.

Fifa rules state that no political or commercial messages can be displayed on kit in internationals.

However, England and Scotland are adamant the poppy is not a political symbol but rather an act of remembrance.