Sheffield Wednesday News 24/7Writer: Nick 
Date:Tuesday November 8 2011
Time: 11:17AM
UK time is: 09:15:20
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No Poppy - No Game?
Saw this on The Great Football Experiment site and thought I'd post here as well:
Well this one should put the pigeons amongst the cats... or is it the other way around?!
As reported in several places, these particular quotes are from Sky Sports, it seems that FIFA in their wisdom, won't let England play in the friendly v Spain wearing shirts with the poppy emblem on them.
EH?
Apparently those who ruin the.. sorry, bit of a slip there, RUN the game don't allow 'political statements`.
That is all well and good.
This isn't a political statement, this is a statement of respect, one that all should show, to our brave men and women who have laid down their lives for their country.
A spokesman for Fifa said: 'Fifa fully acknowledges the significance of the Poppy Appeal and the ways in which it helps commemorate Remembrance Day on November 11 each year. As a multinational organisation comprising over 50 different nationalities, the significance of this date will also be observed by many of its employees, who will remember family members too. Fifa's regulations regarding players' equipment are that they should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages. Fifa has 208 Member Associations and the same regulations are applied globally, and uniformly, in the event of similar requests by other nations to commemorate historical events.'
A minutes silence WILL be allowed.
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So, is this a storm in a teacup of should England's FA now just refuse to play unless FIFA backs down? Lets face it, after the World Cup bids it is clear no one likes us anyway!
Sky quote George Batt, general secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, condemned the decision, describing it as 'disgraceful'. The 86-year-old, who fought in the Second World War, said: 'I don't really understand it. I can't see any harm in wearing a poppy. You surely don't need rules and regulations in Fifa like this. It's so sad.' Full quotes: Sky Sports
These people mean more to me than football (and I`m a football obsessive) and I`ll certainly not be watching the game unless FIFA back down. The FA should make a stand this time.
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Your Comments
So what is this then, another example of bureaucracy gone mad? Some jumped-up clerk's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a stand in the name of global regulation? How about FIFA going out of their way to dictate a policy designed to show the rest of sport that they're still a force to be reckoned with? There's no disguising the hypocritical joke organization they've become. They're convinced their draw and award ceremonies are showcase events when in fact each one is a poor man's version of "It's A Knockout" without the laughs, fancy-dress costumes and endless buckets of water. And as for citing commercial and political conflicts of interest, how else could they possibly explain awarding future World Cups to Russia and Qatar? They're constantly thumbing their noses at those who'd accuse them of being susceptible to corruption, and as England seem less willing to let bygones be bygones then we're the ones most likely to be on the receiving end of their petulance.
Apart from that, I don't have a bad word to say about any of 'em.
OurMaurice
Can FIFA get any worse or more studip? I just hope that all supporters will proudly weear a poppy at the match. Even better would be to have 1000s of balloons with poppies on them drifting across the pitch before kick-off and a few more 1000s at half time saying "Blatt the Pratt"
Prestonowl
Should just do it without FIFA's consent, what's the worst that could happen?
pob
There is time for Sepp Blatter to change his mind and surrender just like his father did 70 years ago. He should remember "If it wasn't for the English he'd be a Kraut
andymac-scoresagoal
The more stupidity that you accept, the more the lunatics take charge of the asylum. I was half expecting the ref to book Billy Sharpe when he dedicated his goal celebration to his late son, thank God that common sense prevailed,
optimisticowl
I think we should play with a poppy sitting proud on our chests for the whole world to see regardless of FIFA backing or just not play at all the worst they could do is ban England from any competition which wouldn't be that much of a loss as were useless in them anyway (we either don't show up or the officials are that bent that we get screwed anyway - Frank Lampard against suprise suprise Mr Sepp Blatters Germany)
At least if they did ban us from competitions then we could concentrate on developing our youth players and have a strong team when we are finally allowed to take part and on the plus side we don't have to sit through pointless friendlies.
I would air my opinions about FIFA as well but as this would involve unpleasant language all I will say is the word that springs to mind has the letters C N U T S!!!
SWFC Tubes 84
I'm sure Sepp Blatter would let us wear the poppy on our shirts if he was getting a cut of the money, cos thats what it's all about with him, if he don't get a backhander he dosen't want to know, my son is in Afghanistan now, i haven't spoke to him for over two weeks, i know exactly what him and his mates would have to say about this imbecile.
ecco owl
I'm not a Wolves supporter but came across a story today that reflects on England, poppies and Fifa and one Wolves player from a bygone age. In 1938 England bowed to German protocol, under orders from the British ambassador, and gave the Nazi salute inside the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Stan Cullis, of Wolves, refused to perform the salute, and was dropped for the match. Fifa had no problem with this. Today Fifa refuses to allow the England team to display the poppy on their shirts. God Bless Stan Cullis! A young Jackie Robinson from my club (Wednesday) played in that game. Sadly the war that all the diplomatic fawning couldn't avoid robbed players like Cullis and Robinson of their best years. Perhaps it's time for modern footballers to emulate Stan Cullis, wear the poppy or refuse to play. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo​rt/football/competitions/world​-cup-2010/pictures/7850872/Wor​ld-Cup-2010-classic-encounters​-between-England-and-Germany-i​n-pictures.html
Read more: http://www.wolves.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=261755#ixzz1dFsvOFjp
robc
I think most views have been adequately expressed already, so there's no need for me to repeat any of them. But the strength of feeling on this issue gives me cause to regret the flippant nature of my earlier post, so I'll just try and make amends...
Any fair-minded individual or organization would readily accept there are no political, commercial or religious connotations associated with our nation's support of a cause as worthy as the Poppy Appeal. I'd even suggest our record as a nation for supporting worthy causes around the globe is second to none, but for obvious reasons the Poppy Appeal is close to our hearts.
Therefore it's understandable for us to kick up a fuss when faced with such a blatant show of bureaucratic muscle fuelled no doubt by some sinister hidden agenda.
The thing is, we should be getting used to this by now. We know these tin-pot dictatorships enjoy putting the boot in at every opportunity, just check out Brussels for crying out loud. FIFA and UEFA are just different tentacles attached to the same hideous monster. (Imagery, huh?)
Seriously though, I'm not surprised by this just disappointed that no-one at the FA has recognized the chance to stand up for the principles we as a nation believe in. As pob rightly pointed out, what's the worst they can do? Issue a fine roughly the equivalent of re-decorating Septic Bladder's spare bedroom? Well bring it on then, but I'd ensure the world's media reported the fact that the FA were happy to stump up the cash on condition every penny was donated to the Poppy Appeal.
Sadly, you just know all this will be quietly brushed under the proverbial carpet in the name of 'diplomacy'. What a load of *********!
OurMaurice
Jackie Robinson scored two (I think) of England's 6 goals in that game as the Lions roared to victory. But in a country and a city where a few months later, 73 years ago yesterday, the Nazi govt would sanction a pogrom on an already persecuted minority with the Kristalnacht attacks; the only winner in that game was Mr Cullis but I suspect he wouldn't think so. a year and a half after England's players gave the Nazi salute in the name of diplomacy most of them were in uniform as we headed into a war which costs the lives of players and fans alike. Lest we forget.
robc
I think I huge poppy should be painted onto the grass in the centre circle and the football used in the match printed up so it resembles sepp blatters head, I'm sure the England players will enjoy giving that slimy toad a good kicking. Seriously though, Europe would be a very different place today if it wasn't for Britain and other countries sending it's brave men and women into war. FIFA and the wider worldwide community should never forget the sacrifices that were made and that are still being made to this day in the name of freedom. I was at the Amex Brighton last night watching the England U19 match and the minutes silence was impeccably observed by the 17k+ crowd including lots of kids who for the rest of the match made a right racket!!
sussexowl
Good points sussex, but I particularly enjoyed your "seriously though" which suggests the idea of seeing Blatter's head kicked around Wembley for ninety minutes was originally meant as a joke!
OurMaurice
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