Why doesn't FIFA just shove it.

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

It's 100% political. I get Fifa's stance in terms of sticking to the rules but perhaps if BOTH teams want to wear it then it seems obvious to let them do so.

 

[AmexRuislip]

It represents the death of innocent folk in a tragic and avoidable situation. I can't really see what we are comparing here, AR.

That's because FIFA's rule governs international matches, for domestic matches the decisions lie with local FA's.

But isn't that the idea behind buying a poppy, to show unity with the fallen? I was always taught that remembrance was shown through the purchase of the Legion's poppy and that the simple design enabled those both rich and poor to donate what they could afford without the need for anybody to show they were better than others. Death did not discriminate during war, nor should remembrance in peace. Whether you put 10p or £100 in the tin you still got the same poppy. That is the idea of being in unison.

My reasoning for image, is that a symbol has been used on a football shirt in a tribute

 

[ManOfSussex]

Petition on change.org by John Nichol:

I am John Nichol, a former RAF prisoner of war, and I call on Fifa and the FA to allow the England and Scottish players to wear their poppy with pride on their shirts for their Armistice Day match at Wembley. This symbol of the courage and sacrifice of our heroes cannot and should not be shunned. Read more in The Sun
The poppy is not a political statement at all. It could not be further from a political statement. It is a statement of remembrance and an acknowledgement of sacrifice from the First World War right through to the sacrifices of our young men and women today.
Many of those brave people, who risk their lives to protect us, are themselves avid football supporters and they will be wearing their poppies with pride that day. This is an opportunity to show how much we as a society care about the work these heroes do - and we cannot let Fifa or the FA diminish that.
No one should ever be banned from wearing a poppy and it brings shame on Fifa that they continue to propagate this misunderstanding of our heritage.

https://www.change.org/p/fifa-let-e...topublish&utm_term=des-lg-action_alert-no_msg

 

[oneillco]

Bloody Hell! Just another sign the World's gone mad. FIFA flexing their muscles and trying to justify its existence. What can be the common sense reason to deny nations showing respect? Not trying to pass judgment myself, just wondering why they don't just respect the application, as there doesn't appear to be any reason not to do so.

No the world going mad is when everyone ignores the rules and just does what they like. Isn't it simpler to have a consistent "no symbols other than national badge" rule than having to make a ruling every time a country wants to introduce something else to their shirt? Would Argentina be allowed to have a map of the "Malvinas" on their shirt? People who say it isn't a political issue should look at the usual "foreigners are awful" fuss that the right wing press are making of this. As others have said there are plenty of ways of showing respect and still abide by this sensible rule.

 

[spring hall convert]

I'm a bit confused, I thought muslims had already cancelled Armistice Day (and Christmas.)

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Well that makes it even more Political! My wife had a career as a nurse but if she has a car crash or needs a stairlift there is no fund for her to tap in to, why should soldiers benefit from one over and above anyone else in our society?

Nurses do have a charity called the Cavell Nurses Trust.

 

[heathgate]

It's 100% political. I get Fifa's stance in terms of sticking to the rules but perhaps if BOTH teams want to wear it then it seems obvious to let them do so.

Please don't... it has zero political content... it is 100% emotion, tradition and respect...

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Lankyseagull]

I haven't read the whole of this thread, but in my view the British Legion sums up what the Poppy means so well that there should not be any argument as to what it symbolises:

"The poppy is

A symbol of Remembrance and hope
Worn by millions of people
Red because of the natural colour of field poppies

The poppy is NOT

A symbol of death or a sign of support for war
A reflection of politics or religion
Red to reflect the colour of blood

Wearing a poppy is a personal choice and reflects individual and personal memories. It is not compulsory but is greatly appreciated by those it helps – our beneficiaries: those currently serving in our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families and dependants".

The website also tells the story of the Poppy - perhaps those of you who are not aware of it should spend a few minutes reading up on a bit of history: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/how-we-remember/the-story-of-the-poppy/

For what it's worth, while over the last few years I have appreciated the Poppy being displayed on players shirts on or around Remembrance Sunday, it is a fairly new innovation. We spent plenty of years happily watching football without players having them on shirts, so I am indifferent to FIFA's stance on the matter - it really doesn't bother me. I am sure that there are plenty of other ways that the FA can embrace Remembrance on the day of the match - invite Poppy sellers into the ground, a minutes silence ahead of kick-off, invite veterans (or currently serving military personnel) to the match for free, show a poignant film on the scoreboard before the match, have a page dedicated to Remembrance in the programme (perhaps with "In Flanders Fields" printed etc. etc.

 

[beorhthelm]

It's 100% political. I get Fifa's stance in terms of sticking to the rules but perhaps if BOTH teams want to wear it then it seems obvious to let them do so.

Please don't... it has zero political content... it is 100% emotion, tradition and respect...

one says its 100% political, another says is 0% political. cant both be right. given you're even arguing if its political or not sort of rules out the 0% option doesn't it? it shouldn't be, it wasn't in origin, but quite clearly it has become an issue with some politics attached.

 

[beardy gull]

Why all the focus on whether it's a political statement? FIFA are pretty clear. Or are people arguing that wearing the poppy isn't a personal statement? Because of course it is.

“on all Playing Equipment items [which include jerseys] used on, or brought into (permanently or temporarily), the Pitch Area, for all Matches, any form of advertising… of political, religious, commercial, personal statements, images and/or other announcements, is strictly prohibited”.

 

[jakarta]

one says its 100% political, another says is 0% political. cant both be right. given you're even arguing if its political or not sort of rules out the 0% option doesn't it? it shouldn't be, it wasn't in origin, but quite clearly it has become an issue with some politics attached.

And as I have previously requested (and didn't get an answer) what sort of political statement do you think wearing a Poppy makes?

 

[W.C.]

F### the Sun.

 

[Albumen]

The only political thing about poppy wearing is the right wing twats that seek out those that aren't wearing them in public.

 

[MattBackHome]

And as I have previously requested (and didn't get an answer) what sort of political statement do you think wearing a Poppy makes?

The poppy commemorates people killed in conflict, which I would argue in itself makes it political, as the primary purpose is to remember those that died on behalf of their countries, i.e. as a result of political imperatives (i.e. 'for us').

That's without going into the additional loaded connotations associated with the poppy, or it's (mis)use by many as a tool to harangue anyone who may choose to defer from displaying one at any point. Even if you grant that all of that is inadmissable, the evident fact that the poppy as an icon has come to symbolise, for many patriotism as well as remembrance makes it absolutely political.

 

[Megazone]

Why do people have this same debate every year?

Can't this thread just be merged with the Groundhog day thread?

 

[alfredmizen]

And as I have previously requested (and didn't get an answer) what sort of political statement do you think wearing a Poppy makes?

Probably not as much as this , which was on Republic of Ireland shirts for pre Euro friendlies

 

[Megazone]

Probably not as much as this , which was on Republic of Ireland shirts for pre Euro friendlies
View attachment 79122

I like how you need to really Zoom in to see it.

Must have offended billions!

 

[alfredmizen]

I like how you need to really Zoom in to see it.

Must have offended billions!

So if the poppy was a lot smaller you'd be ok with it ?

 

[Megazone]

So if the poppy was a lot smaller you'd be ok with it ?

As long as it isn't being used to make heroin.

 

[alfredmizen]

As long as it isn't being used to make heroin.

Don't give me silly replies, yes or no ?