I am amazed what would those brave welsh men and woman that gave their lives for our freedom think. Fifa can do one The Welsh Football Association is facing a barrage of stinging criticism for caving in to FIFA’s demands to ban its players from wearing poppies as a mark of remembrance for Britain’s fallen heroes. please log in to view this image The national football team has caved under new rules from Fifa blocking players from making “political” statements. Britons reacted with fury when news of the ban broke and fans called for their heroes to suck up the financial penalties. However, the Welsh FA announced earlier this afternoon Gareth Bale and his teammates will be wearing black armbands. Angry Katie Hopkins said: “Well done England and Scotland for defying the FIFA poppy ban. Shame on Ireland and Wales. “Lest you forget, brave Brits fought for your freedom to play.” The team had requested to wear the poppy, but Fifa refused. Fifa previously said they see the poppy as a political symbol and general secretary Fatima Samba Diouf Samoura said ‘any kind of sanction’ – including a possible points deduction – could follow a rule break. Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), said the possibility of losing points was one of the reasons why the FAW decided to find a different way to pay respect to Britain’s war dead. He said: “The FAW naturally wishes to respect and honour those who fought and lost their lives fighting for their country. “As an Association we also have to respect the rules of FIFA and following long discussions with members of the FAW Council, staff, management and players, a decision has been made not to wear the poppy against Serbia. “We felt unable to take the risk of a financial penalty or point deduction, however, as we always have done at this time of year, we will be paying our respects in other ways.” But the decision will be controversial as Wales is the only home nation not to wear the poppy. The FAs of both England and Scotland announced they intend to defy FIFA’s regulations on political symbols by wearing black armbands with poppy emblems at Wembley ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Totally disgraceful and it's time to shove these kinds of decisions back up the noses of those who dare to tell us what's right. Leave us to run our own lives thank you very much.
I'm more concerned about the directive from FIFA than anything else. This new lady secretary general of FIFA needs to look at herself in the mirror and tell herself she has no right to interfere with the traditions and respect coming from the populace in some countries, and she needs to remember that the countries she is targeting have been large aid contributors to her screwed up home country. Ticked off doesn't even begin to describe my anger - first Sepp Blatter and Platini, and now this witch.
There will be a poppy in the stadium via the crowd forming it by holding up cards. There will be war hero's pictures on the screens around the ground. Wales and their kit manufacturer Adidas have also produced replica shirts bearing a poppy on the front, which go on sale ahead of the game. The proceeds from this will go to the Royal British Legion. So Wales will be honouring the ones who gave up their life's. One thing to remember is England and Scotland played each other, and probably unlikely any points or or fines. Wales are playing Serbia and you can imagine FIFA pulling a clause out their arse and then it will have implications on England and .Scotland. Hopefully FIFA will now let it rest and not behave like children. Also wearing poppies on football shirts is only a recent thing to be done, it's not something that has been going on since time began. I'm not happy with the Welsh FA's decision but points deduction can harm Wales whereas England and Scotland would lose points together so possibly not affecting the table. But nice one RR, for someone who says you do well for yourself you don't half chat **** before knowing or understanding everything.
Disgusting, and soft belly ROD by the Welsh fa. Unbelievable for the Men and Women of your great country that gave their lives.
Whether anyone likes it or not, this is NOT political, it is simply a way of a (or another) nation, respecting those who fell in times of conflict to give us, and that includes the members of FIFA, the ability to do the things that we all enjoy today. I am saddened by the stance that the FAW have taken, but it's not what the Welsh people I know would expect from such a proud nation.
not exactly FIFA pointed out the rule and said they could not give permission .it depends on the rep who goes to the game to make a report! they both are of the opinion it is not a contravention of a political standing mainly, certainly does not fit into any other title of the rule ..rule 4?
FIFA is the world wide body to oversee football and these are qualifying matches for a World Cup. Nothing to do with UEFA so cool your hostility toward Europe. This is nothing to do with the EU or UEFA. As a Welshman, I don't see why Wales should risk losing points for a symbol that has only recently crept into the world of UK sport in the last few years.
REASONABLE DOUBT ... it is hard to classify what category the poppy falls into there is a case for political = weak and non political = strong the English and Scots FA's will most likely stand up against a points deduction ... poor Scotland ... a fine they may accept but whatever a precedent will be set ....
I no longer buy a poppy it used to be a simple symbol of buying one and EVERYBODY had the same ......................now it has become a jewellery accessory, different grades one for the car etc I do not condemn, or disagree with the occasional "montage" on special anniversary's like the tower last year .. but now it is likely to develop into a contest on who can out do another with very tardy efforts ... the poppy is becoming a "symbol" for not what it was intended ....
