Royal British Legion hits out at Fifa fine over poppy armbands
THE Royal British Legion (RBL) has said it is “extremely disappointed” at Fifa’s decision to fine Scotland and England’s national associations after their footballers wore the poppy symbol on armbands during last month’s match.
The sport’s world governing body has handed the Scottish Football Association (SFA) a £15,692 fine and its English counterpart, the FA, a £35,308 penalty.
Both nations’ players wore the symbol during their matches to commemorate Armistice Day in the 3-0 World Cup qualifier win for England at Wembley.
Fifa said it breached the rules on displaying commercial, political or religious messages. RBL director general Charles Byrne said: “We are extremely disapOFFICIALS pointed that Fifa continues to label the poppy a ‘political symbol’ and has levied fines on those football associations who chose to display it during the 2016 Remembrance period. It has no political, religious or commercial meaning.
“Of particular concern is Fifa’s reference to spectators wearing a ‘political symbol’. The poppy represents sacrifices made in the defence of freedom, and so the decision to wear it must be a matter of personal choice.”
Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokeswoman said: “Fifa don’t seem to have recognised the sentiment behind poppies – that they are not a political symbol, but are about recognising with pride the role that our brave servicemen and women play.
The FA of Wales was fined £15,692 after supporters used cards to display a poppy symbol in the stand before playing Serbia at Cardiff City.
The Irish FA will have to pay £11,769 because its players commemorated the Easter Rising in a friendly by wearing shirts with a special emblem.