FIFA fines England, others £80,000 for wearing poppies

FIFA banned England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland were fined for wearing poppies

FIFA has fined all four home nations for displaying poppies during World Cup qualifiers around Armistice Day.

England and Scotland players wore armbands featuring the symbol when they met at Wembley on 11 November.

Wales and Northern Ireland’s respective games featured displays on the pitch or in the stands to mark the event.

England have been fined 45,000 Swiss francs (£35,311), Scotland and Wales 20,000 Sfr (£15,694) and Northern Ireland 15,000 Sfr (£11,770).

Fifa disciplinary committee chairman Claudio Sulser said he “fully respected” the commemorations but stressed the rules “need to be applied to all member associations”.

“The display, among others, of any political or religious symbol is strictly prohibited,” he added.

“In the stadium and on the pitch, there is only room for sport, nothing else.”

Why have the countries been punished?

According to the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB), players cannot wear “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.

But both England and Scotland players wore armbands featuring the poppy symbol during England’s 3-0 win.

There was also a display of poppies on big screens, a minute’s silence, playing of the Last Post and poppy T-shirts handed to the crowd.

Following Wales’ 1-1 draw at home to Serbia the next day, Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings looking at “fans in the stands wearing the poppy” and the presence of “a member of the armed forces holding a bunch of poppies at the exit of the tunnel”, according to the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

The holding of a minute’s silence, the laying of a wreath and a poppy display by fans before Northern Ireland’s 4-0 win over Azerbaijan on 11 November have led to the punishment of the Irish FA.

Fifa has also punished the Republic of Ireland with a 5,000 Swf fine (£3,930) after its players wore shirts commemorating the centenary of the Easter Rising earlier this year.

How have the home nations responded?

Both the FA and FAW have yet to respond but Scottish FA (SFA) chief executive Stewart Regan says it is “clearly disappointing” that Fifa has ruled the poppy is a political symbol.

The SFA board will discuss the issue on Tuesday to decide on any appeal and will request the full reasons from Fifa.

It also plans to discuss the issue with The FA, FAW and Irish FA in the coming days.

The Irish FA said it was “disappointed”, adding it “will take further legal advice before deciding on a future course of action”.