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England and Scotland players wear poppies for Armistace Day despite potential action from FIFA

Two nations risk a fine or points deduction to remember fallen heroes during World Cup qualifier

ENGLAND and Scotland united in defiance of a potential FIFA ban to remember Britain's fallen heroes.

Football's governing body had said that the poppy is a political symbol and wearing it could result in a fine or even a points deduction.

England and Scotland paid tribute to fallen war heroes before their clash at Wembley
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England and Scotland paid tribute to fallen war heroes before their clash at WembleyCredit: Getty Images
England team group
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England aces tribute before gameCredit: Reuters
The two sides line up for a minute silence before kick-off
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The two sides line up for a minute silence before kick-offCredit: Reuters
Both sides wore poppies on black armbands, risking potential FIFA action
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Both sides wore poppies on black armbands, risking potential FIFA actionCredit: Reuters
The big screen is lit up with the message 'Lest We Forget' during the period of silence
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The big screen is lit up with the message 'Lest We Forget' during the period of silenceCredit: Reuters

But the teams emerged onto the Wembley pitch wearing black armbands with poppies on as they paid tribute to those who died serving the nation.

Stand-in manager Gareth Southgate, 46, also wore a poppy armband and another on his jacket. But FA chairman Greg Clarke, 49, was spotted without one.

FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn said on Friday: “I had hoped to resolve it quietly but these things never happen quietly. That forced us to be clear about our position, which is we are going to wear them. We think they are interpreting the rules wrongly.

“There are bigger things for FIFA to worry about.”

England v Scotland - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier
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Before kick off, players from the two teams and 90,000 fans stood for an emotional minute's silenceCredit: Getty Images
Fans in the crowd pay their respects to fallen war heroes
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Fans in the crowd pay their respects to fallen war heroesCredit: Reuters
Wreaths were also laid at the Bobby Moore statue outside Wembley
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Fans also laid wreaths Bobby Moore statue outside WembleyCredit: Reuters

 

FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn laid into FIFA, saying they had bigger things to worry about
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FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn laid into FIFA, saying they had bigger things to worry aboutCredit: PA:Press Association

Before kick off, players from the two teams and 90,000 fans stood for an emotional minute's silence on a year that marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

Northern Ireland were also in action against Azerbaijan, but decided to wear just plain black armbands.

Wales have also opted for plain black armbands in Saturday's match against Serbia, with the FAW saying they are unwilling to risk sanction by FIFA.

This comes after FIFA belatedly opened disciplinary proceedings against Ireland, who wore shirts commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising back in March.

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