Legion wants ban lifted

The Royal British Legion has written an open letter to Fifa urging it to lift its ban on the England and Scotland national football teams wearing the poppy.

Both football associations have vowed to defy the ban, saying players will wear poppies on black armbands during their Armistice Day World Cup qualifier.

RBL director general Charles Byrne said: “We ask you, Fifa, in the strongest terms, that you rethink your approach to remembrance and the use of the poppy, and permit players to honour the commitment and sacrifices of the Armed Forces.”