Kloppy Floppy Poppy Stroppy

Wear the poppies and tell UEFA and FIFA to fellate each other.

 

Not really, not everyone wears it for the same reason, what happens FIFA agreed and if someone within the team don't want to wear it then he would forced to wear something others he will become a scapegoat....

Bigger picture don't get politics involved in sports...otherwise how do you decide which ones to allow and which not! Like Piskie and others said its become a flag waving exercise rather than a remembrance these days with lots of people and the army. Some people even see it as unpatriotic if you don't buy it or wear it, everything is politicised these days it seems!

 

If anyone is legitimately offended, I would say that is reason not to allow it. The only people who could legitimately be offended are the Germans, and bar just one or two, most of them are way more understanding and good sports about the war than they need to be.

I don't see any legitimate complaints. The poppy ban is being needlessly PC to protect noone.

 

Some say politics should have no part in sports but that's just bollox as we cherry pick when it suits us. South Africa, Zimbabwe, all prime examples. But Kanoute does a t-shirt of the illegal apartheid occupation of Palestine and he gets trounced. And yet the Palestinian Football Team are blocked by Israeli occupation from attending most tournaments and nobody says that's politics interfering with sport? Where's FIFA imposing the rule of law then? It's pathetic tbh... and hypocritical.

 

For me the poppy is, primarily, a symbol of remembrance for all those who lost their lives in the first world war - irrespective of which side they fought on. It should be remembered that these were not, in the main, career soldiers but just normal lads ...

My mother came from a small town near Blackburn called Clayton-Le-Moors - many of the men from the town of her parents generation joined ‘The Accrington Pals’ the 11th East Lancs Regiment – one of the first formed for service in WW1 and were formed mainly from the Accrington district and surrounding areas … they were given the dubious honour of leading the assault on the entrenched German hilltop position at Serre in 1916 – they advanced in the centre flanked by Yorkshire regiments on the left and right …

Of the 720 men of the East Lancs regiment who advanced at around 7:20am that day 584 were killed wounded or missing in action (by 8am!) … a whole generation more or less wiped out …

When I see the poppy I don't think jingoism or indeed patriotism ... I just think about the barbaric waste of life and potential at the whims of some in positions of power... whilst being somewhat in awe and admiration of the bravery of the lads that gave their lives in such circumstances ...

FIFA can do one ...

 

Totally agree, mate.

For me this is about remembering those who died. Nothing more.

It's not remembering or celebrating any war(s), but simply about those who gave their lives.

I've posted this on a separate thread in our board, but I think it's worth repeating.

We should remember that thousands upon thousands of those who died in WW1, of which this rememberance date is redolent, had very little choice.

Their options were, go over the top and get shot to **** by the opposition. Or, refuse to go over and get stuck up against a wall and shot to **** by your own side!..

 

Fair point.

 

Since when has the 10th Oct been armistice day eve?...

Guy's talking out of his arse....

 

That's a typo, should be 10/11/2001.

Did you read the first one with Stuart Pearce there? England last played on armistice day on 11/11/1987. No poppies.

I think there's a wider point being made by Maguire. And it's about choice. Back then it was up to individuals to decide regardless of their profession. Now others decide for you and if you don't wear one, you're considered anti-british. In that sense it maybe has become politicised.

 

I think it should be individual choice, of course. However, as yesterday's headlines showed, any player who refused would have to expect to be crucified by the tabloid press.

For me, as I've quite clearly stated, this has nothing to do with politics or celebrating any war victories, it's solely about remembering those who gave their lives - most of them before they'd hardly started - and with pretty much no choice.

FIFA can do one, as far as I'm concerned.

 

Why should anyone expect to be crucified for not wearing one by the press? Did they crucify those who didnt wear one in 1987?

You and I may see it in one way, and that is entirely our choice. But IF England havent worn one in previous games, then why are we kicking up a fuss about being told not to wear one now? It's not like they're taking away something we were already practising. It seems we're showing a bit of faux outrage tbh.

 

Come on, Trebs. Let's get with the real world! Yes, there should be individual choice, but refusing would carry consequences, like it or not.

This is the same tabloid press that tried to crucify three judges for doing their job and deciding a clear point of law, that they don't happen to like.

So, what happens? Out comes all the personal stuff- one's a ****ta! Nudge, nudge. And all the hatred this Woman who brought - (and was born abroad and has dark skin, nudge, nudge!) the challenge has received.

Do you seriously believe that any England player could actually refuse to wear the poppy without being savaged by that lot?...

 

No, I agree they would. I just think they shouldnt be.

I also agree with you, that the poppy itself is NOT a political symbol. But it is being hijacked to become one if we're not careful. I hate this idea of obligation to do something.

 

I couldn't agree more mate tbh.
I think the rule is actually a sound one. We've never had a problem before and like you say the symbol has been hijacked to become political in recent years.

Yet another result of social media imo.

 

I don't see it as in any way political. And I don't understand why any sensible person would.

It's a symbol of rememberance for those who died. Nothing more.

 

It certainly was to begin with... and even 20 years ago. It still is now really but like Treble said it's being highjacked by some.

There's a small section of people who have tried to change its meaning in recent years to supporting the British Army.

For **** sake most of the sellers I've seen this year have been trying to get people to get one by saying 'support our troops'

 

That's not entirely right if they're doing that. I can see why they're saying it as the money goes to help ex soldiers.

But if that's inferring that it's expressing support for the Army's current campaigns its not right.

The FA's decision to have it sown into all the shirts is wrong. It should be a personal decision.

But so is FIFA's arbitrary decision to disallow it.

 

I think they should have a fight over it.

 

FIFA said that they'll only fight if you pay them first, in cash! ..

 

Lets be honest, our FA and players would probably say the same these days

They'd probably all take the money and surrender simultaneously!