P PPYCLOCK!
HELPING HAND Stars can wear tributes – if the Germans agree
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ENGLAND will wear poppies when they face Germany on the eve of Armistice Day next month – but only if their opponents agree.
FA chiefs have asked Fifa for permission for Gareth Southgate’s men to sport the symbol on black armbands for the friendly at Wembley on November 10.
They will only get the nod if the German FA is happy with it but the clock is ticking for them to agree in time – and our ruling body was still waiting for an answer last night.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have also asked for permission to wear the poppy for their international matches.
Punished
A year ago Fifa caused outrage when it banned the poppy from shirts – arguing that it was a “political symbol”.
And bosses fined the FA after England and Scotland players wore black armbands with a poppy for their World Cup qualifier at Wembley on November 11.
Wales and Northern Ireland were also punished for their own Remembrance Day tributes.
At the time, Prime Minister Theresa May branded Fifa’s stance “utterly outrageous”.
But Fifa backtracked last month and agreed an amendment to the game’s rules to allow the home nations to commemorate the occasion if organisers and the opposing team agreed. England’s match against Germany falls on the eve of Armistice Day and Wales travel to France on the same night.
Northern Ireland host Switzerland in the first leg of their 2018 World Cup play-off and Scotland face the Netherlands at Pittodrie on the Thursday.
But fans are furious at having to ask permission to remember those killed in wars and conflicts. One said: “If they deny the request, wear them anyway, and I’ll personally pay the fine.”
Another said: “If a game is happening at this time of the year poppies should always be worn!
“You don’t need permission. Just do it.”