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Cameron blasts "absurd" FIFA for poppy ban

English FA plan a host of alternative remembrance efforts after FIFA tells them that players can’t wear the poppy on their jerseys.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER David Cameron has called on FIFA to reconsider its “outrageous” decision to ban the English football team from wearing poppies this weekend.

England host Spain in a friendly in Wembley on Saturday evening and had intended to wear special jerseys embroidered with poppies to mark Remembrance Weekend.

But those plans had to be scrapped yesterday after FIFA ruled that the emblem was a political symbol and is therefore banned under the game’s laws.

The decision, Cameron said this morning, was “absurd.”

“Wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride. I hope FIFA will reconsider.”

However, the FA insisted that its players will still mark the occasion in an appropriate manner, wearing black armbands and observing a minute of silence before kick-off on Saturday evening.

The players will also wear poppy-embroidered training tops and “anthem jackets” on match-day, neither of which contravene FIFA rules, and will break from training to observe the customary two-minute silence at 11am on Friday.

Director General of the Royal British Legion Chris Simpkins commended the FA for its remembrance efforts. “There are other ways to honour the poppy than by wearing it on a shirt,” he said.

“The FA has helped us explore every alternative available and we are satisfied that England will enter the competition knowing they have shown proper respect for our Armed Forces.”

This is not a dispute between FIFA and the Royal British Legion. It’s an issue between FIFA and the British public, which is how it should be.

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    Mute Jim Walsh
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:10 PM

    In fairness to FIFA (never thought I’d ever say that) I can see why they are reluctant to set any precedent.

    Clearly this example is just an attempt to be respectful to the memory of those who died in the two World Wars but in future cases it’s easy to how countries could try to make some form of political statement by wearing symbols on their jerseys. FIFA would then be in the middle of a minefield if they had to suddenly start adjudicating on every issue.

    I would also point that many people in Ireland would say the poppy is a political symbol. I don’t think it is but you can see how difficult it can be to be make a clear decision. So the simplest way to do with this is to say a straight no to everybody.

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    Mute Lar Hayden
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:47 PM

    Exactly. And what then happens if the Palestine national team one day qualify for a major championships and draw USA or Israel. And the game falls on a day that Palestine honours its fallen and they want to wear a symbol to recognise this. Diplomatic crisis.This could happen in relation to a number of conflicts in the world. It’s a can of worms FIFA don’t need to open.

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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:02 PM

    The “Poppy Fields” were where the Poppy flowers sprung up over the graves of dead WW1 soldiers in those vast graveyards.
    Poppies grew over the graves of dead German soldiers as well.
    And Irish.And French.

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    Mute Bazza
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:14 PM

    Maybe the Irish Team could wear and Easter Lily when they next play England !!!!!!!!

    Its against the code, it applies to everyone fairly and thats it. – -

    Cameron should respect the sports law, not try to ridicule it.

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    Mute Andy
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:35 PM

    Oh shut up Cameron. If FIFA agree to this they open themselves up to other countries coming forward asking to have this and that on their jerseys. Allowing this will set a precedent allowing subsequent, more controversial, emblems to appear. A man as educated as yourself should realise such a simple point.

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    Mute John Mack
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    Nov 9th 2011, 3:22 PM

    poppies are not just for English soliders who died, its called remembrance Sunday to remember all fallen soliders who died in the world wars and since has been expanded to include all conflicts, I know a few Irish people who wear the Lilly, the fushia and the poppy at various times of the year. all to remember those families members who have paid the ultimate price to protect others.

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    Mute Pa Foley
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    Nov 9th 2011, 4:08 PM

    What exactly does the Easter Lily represent? Provos! No thanks, I would hang my head in shame if our national team wore it. Nothing honourable about them!

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    Mute Pa Foley
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    Nov 9th 2011, 4:12 PM

    What does the Easter Lily represent? “fallen provos”. Nothing honourable about them that’s for sure.

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    Mute John Mack
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    Nov 9th 2011, 4:43 PM

    can’t remember the background with the Lillie’s but the fuchsia is outlined in the ex-service men women’s website.
    http://www.oneconnect.ie/latest-news/257-one-launches-fuchsia-2011.html

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Nov 9th 2011, 11:52 AM

    Have to agree, stupid pointless decision by FIFA

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    Mute Adam Doherty
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:34 PM

    Only the English could make this into such a big deal. I don’t know why they expect the rules to changed for them just because they feel that their cause is greater than anyone else’s.

    When it comes down to it, it’s a game of football. The players can wear as many poppies as they like before and after the match but as for the match itself, it should have nothing to do with anything else than football.

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    Mute Joan Ryan
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:24 PM

    The Irish wanted the rules changed for them after the Thierry Henri malarkey 2 years ago. ( I’m Irish before you ask )

    The poppy has political associations for many people. The football field is not the place for it.

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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:30 PM

    It’s after all a British Conservative Prime Minister playing “Political Football” , with what should be a totally non Political issue .

    Don’t we all know that he is only trying to make hay for his own vote getting purposes – nothing to do with Football – FIFA ‘s position is a good one – they should not be bullied.

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    Mute Paul Houston
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:52 PM

    The question is Why now? How many times has England played without this being an issue. This is a cynical political exercise aimed at whipping up jingoistic fervour in support of “our brave lads” in the outrageous conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    FIFA rightly told them were to go.
    If you wish to remember do so instead of this bullish look at the size of my poppy bollicks.

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    Mute Martin Mc Cormack
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    Nov 9th 2011, 2:01 PM

    Politician taking up an non issue to distract the populace from the real issues

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    Mute Liam Muldowney
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:09 PM

    I think we should play England on Easter Sunday 2016 and they could wear army uniforms!! Just saying…

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    Mute Ed Appleby
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:40 PM

    Personally I don’t see the poppy as political, it is a symbol of remembrance of the sacrifices made by many people of all nationalities who died fighting numerous wars on behalf of their countries, now some may well say that in the UK’s case that includes those who fought against Irish freedom and yes it does but it also includes those who fought for Irish freedom and indeed for everybody’s freedom during WW1 & WW2, sadly It’s a hard for some people to look beyond the ‘British’ element of the poppy but bear in mind the thousands of young Irish who lost their lives in these wars and who were doing what they believed was the right thing at that time, don’t blame them for doing what they thought was right and even if you are uncomfortable with the poppy just spare a thought for all of those young people who ended their days in the mud of Flanders, the sand of Gallipoli or the icy cold waters of the Atlantic. The poppy is just a symbol at the end of the day it’s what lies behind it that is being remembered and all those who gave their lives for freedom and the rights we all enjoy today should be remembered even if it’s just for a minute. All this Ireland v England nonsense just shows up the small mindedness of some people. That said whilst I rarely agree with anything FIFA say or do I think they have got this one right as it is an international between England & Spain and could set a precedent for other countries to use as an opportunity to make political statements. Cameron will have to accept that and move on. I will wear a poppy this weekend not as anything political but as a sign that I am grateful to all the people who gave their lives for freedom and good no matter where they were from and for my own children’s great grandad who fought in the North Africa and Italy in WW2 and who lost so many of his friends at that time, it’s about people not politics.

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    Mute Tim Henchin
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    Nov 9th 2011, 2:31 PM

    That is quiet a misrepresentation of what the Poppy is there Ed. Your reading makes it sound like it is a universal symbol of remembrance. If it was the be all that you seem to think that it was, then the Royal British Legion, would not be the ones behind it.

    That’s fine, best of luck to them in that but lets not pretend that it is anything more than a symbol for the British army. Trying to make out that it represents freedom and liberty, is really pushing it. Wear it fine, not a concern of mine, but do call a spade a spade.

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    Mute Ed Appleby
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    Nov 9th 2011, 4:35 PM

    Tim, please have a read of this, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15637074 it might enlighten you a bit!

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    Mute Mick Obrien
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    Nov 9th 2011, 10:08 PM

    @Ed….. nice one

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    Mute Tim Henchin
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:56 PM

    The Poppy is a political symbol, there is no doubt about that. It is something for the British themselves to wear. What is has to do with Spain. I know that there are lots of people here, who feel that the Poppy should be everywhere, as a sign of how comfortable we are now with our English neighbours but the rest of the world couldn’t give a toss about that kind of insecurity and just get on with it.
    Cameron, stop playing to the gallery and just let FIFA get on with it.

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    Mute Pilib O Muiregan
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    Nov 9th 2011, 3:01 PM

    If FIFA allow England to wear poppy’s where does it stop…

    The German/Japan team wanting to wearing symbols to honor their war dead.

    Ireland wearing a Lilly to commemorate all those who lost thier lives in our independence struggle.

    Argentina honoring the Falklands……

    Iran wearing something to honor all Muslims who gave their lives for Allah……

    If England are allowed to wear their poppies all other nations can then wear a symbol for whatever reason.

    FIFA have got it right this time

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    Mute John Rowley
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    Nov 9th 2011, 2:06 PM

    Whats so patriotic about being made wear a plastic/ embroidered flower. Would John Terry (or any other English player for that matter ) have the option not to wear it? when something like wearing the poppy becomes almost mandatory, as it appears to have become in the last few years, surely the symbolism of it is totally lost. Its this kind of soft nationalism that fertilizes the breeding ground of the far right.

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    Mute john Rowley
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    Nov 9th 2011, 6:56 PM
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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Nov 9th 2011, 12:56 PM

    All sport is political,and pretends otherwise.
    To those of us lucky enough to be born without any interest in any sport the words “Ireland versus England” is tribal political.

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    Mute Waffler
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    Nov 9th 2011, 3:33 PM

    fair play to fifa but they need to seriously kick religion out of the game too. some of the recent south american arrivals in the premiership have been treating stadiums like mega-churches. they need to ban the poppy from premiership games too otherwise this is pointless

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Nov 9th 2011, 2:58 PM

    It’s a blood stained flower simple as

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    Mute Tim Henchin
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    Nov 9th 2011, 5:50 PM

    Agreed, there are more countries in the world that see it as a symbol of death and theft, than the very few that see it as a wuvely flower of Fweedom.

    8
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    Mute Darren O'Brien
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    Nov 9th 2011, 8:43 PM

    I agree with FIFA on this one. According to the UK dept. of Culture, Media and Sport, Remembrance Sunday (and by association, the poppy) is “to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.”

    I don’t see any reference to any dead enemies there. Just British and Commonwealth service people.

    Wearing such an emblem can not be tolerated especially when England could be playing a former enemy of one of those wars.

    Its intention may be noble but it’s a political symbol and should be kept out of all sport. Same goes for the political symbols of all nations.

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    Mute Mick Obrien
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    Nov 9th 2011, 9:16 PM

    You can always wear A WHITE POPPY for peace in the world

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Nov 10th 2011, 2:17 AM

    The poppy is a British political statement IMO. If you aren’t seen to be wearing one you’ll be lucky if you’re not named and shamed in one of their rags. The only political symbol needed in a game of football is the colour of your shirt. Green preferably.

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    Mute Mick Obrien
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    Nov 10th 2011, 12:07 AM

    I see it’s ok to mention the Easter rising on here but not allowed to mention ww2

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    Mute Mick Obrien
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    Nov 9th 2011, 8:42 PM

    A picture of Cameron wearing a poppy what a fcuking joke, he does’nt give a shit about the veterans, if he did Mark & Helen Mullins could still be alive today, shame on you and your government Cameron

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    Mute Mick Obrien
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    Nov 9th 2011, 9:07 PM

    I see the red thumbs don’t care about veterans either, click away the veterans don’t need you

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    Mute Darren O'Brien
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    Nov 9th 2011, 9:42 PM

    An admirable aspiration Mick but it’s probably not allowed either. According to FIFA regulations: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/51/54/30/equipment_reg_26032010_en.pdf

    “54.1 For all Matches, all forms of advertising for sponsors, Manufacturers
    (exceeding the extent of Manufacturer’s Identification permitted under Chapter
    VI above) or any third parties, of political, religious or personal statements and/
    or other announcements, are strictly prohibited on all Playing Equipment items
    used on, or brought into (permanently or temporarily), the Controlled Stadium
    Are”

    Sounds like “personal statements and/or other announcements”.

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    Mute Mick Obrien
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    Nov 10th 2011, 12:30 AM

    bias – definition of bias by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and …
    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bias
    partisanship, partiality – an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over … 2. bias – a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric …. 1 favouring of one or other (side in an argument etc) rather than remaining … to influence (usually unfairly) He was biased by the report in the newspapers. …

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