Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
FIFA poppy ban: FA denied request for England to wear poppies against Scotland
FIFA have stood firm on their position over poppies following the FA’s request to allow England to wear them on Friday against Scotland.
England will not be allowed to wear poppies on Friday against Scotland
England face the Scots on Friday November 11 at Wembley Stadium in a World Cup qualifier and had requested approval to wear poppies for Remembrance Day.
Talks were held on Monday between FA chief executive Martin Glenn and new FIFA counterpart Fatma Samoura.
But FIFA have stood firm and have released a statement this evening.
May slams FIFA over "outrageous" poppy ban
The Laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historical events.
“FIFA fully respects the significance of commemorating Remembrance Day on 11 November each year,” the statement reads.
“The Laws of the Game are overseen by the International Football Association Board (composed of the four British FAs and FIFA) and applicable to all 211 member associations.
"The relevant Law 4, para. 4, clearly states that the players equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages.
“The Laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historical events.”
Prime Minister Theresa May blasted the situation, calling it outrageous.
"Before they start telling us what to do, they jolly well ought to sort their own house out," said Mrs May.
Theresa May has slammed FIFA's decision
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has told his side to forget about the row.
Strachan said: "It's not up to me that. I've played against England in a blue strip before and got beat.
"It's not what you put on. It's what's inside that strip which counts.
"It's not how you talk before the game, it's what you do on the pitch that counts.
"So the strip, the propaganda, it means nothing. It's what you get on the pitch, are you a team? Are you a good player? Do you want to take this challenge on?"
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has told his side to forget about the poppies
England come into the game on the back of wins against Slovakia and Malta but a draw with Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate, who replaced Sam Allardyce, takes charge of his third game and needs a win to guarentee top in Group F going into the break.
England then take on Spain on Tuesday night at Wembley.
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?