Now Germans back us to wear poppies as Cameron blasts 'absurd' FIFA

By John Edwards and Charles Sale
Last updated at 9:43 AM on 9th November 2011

The FA's fading hope of displaying poppies on England's shirts to show their respect and support for our armed forces received welcome and dramatic support on Tuesday night - from Germany.
As FIFA issued a 'final statement' rejecting the FA's poppy plea, their ridiculous stance was further damaged as a senior German football official declared they have no issue with the gesture.

Row: England want to wear poppies on their shirts

The prospect of causing offence to Germany by wearing poppies against Spain on Saturday is one of the reasons given by FIFA for its rejection of the idea.
A storm raged on Tuesday night, with players such as Rio Ferdinand and Jack Wilshere joined by Prime Minister David Cameron in condemnation of another FIFA snub.
Germany's Federation general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach said: 'This is a decision for England and we would be happy for them to make it.

German backing: England's rivals have no qualms about the poppy

'I am totally surprised (by the suggestion that German people might be offended) because it just hasn't been mentioned here.
'The Federation has not heard of, or been involved in, any discussions about poppies and whether England should be allowed to wear them on Saturday.
'I cannot imagine we would have any objection to the idea of England's players having poppies on their shirts. It just wouldn't be a problem to us. It wouldn't be an issue.'
Undeterred, FIFA stamped down again and insisted they will not budge, despite the growing fury following Sportsmail's exclusive story last Saturday.
Mr Cameron said: 'This seems outrageous. The idea that wearing a poppy to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom is a political act is absurd.
'Wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride. I hope that FIFA will reconsider.'

The FA has gone to the extent of preparing a poppy embroidered Umbro kit, but will not wear it without a late FIFA turn-around.
England will instead take to the field at Wembley wearing black armbands and with the poppies adorning the tracksuit tops for the national anthems and one-minute silence before the game.

Backing the bid: Wilshere and Ferdinand have called on FIFA to change their mind

There will also be poppy-related messages on the perimeter boards as the FA do all they can to recognise the emotive occasion despite FIFA.
The 'final statement' letter to FA chief Alex Horne from Jerome Valcke, secretary general of FIFA, arrived just as Minister of Sport Hugh  Robertson was promising Government backing if the FA were to defy the FIFA mandate.
Robertson said the Zurich football overlords had misunderstood the importance of Remembrance Sunday.

TWEETING THEIR SUPPORT

What RIO FERDINAND tweeted Powers that be do make stands on certain issues I see! #selective #onlysaying What is Fifa's reason for not allowing a poppy to be worn during the england match??
What JACK WILSHERE tweeted England team should wear poppies on saturday. Its the nations tradition and it would be disrespectful not to! #ENGLISHANDPROUD My Great Granddad fought for this country in WW2 and I'm sure a lot of peoples grandparents did so #WearThePoppy

Robertson's own protest letter to world football's discredited governing body reflected the widespread public outrage about FIFA's objections over honouring the Armed Forces who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
England players Ferdinand and Wilshere encouraged the FA to go ahead and display the poppies. Meanwhile Jim Boyce, a member of the FIFA ExCo committee, was asking for a U-turn from Zurich.
Niersbach made a mockery of FIFA's implied concern about German offence surrounding the poppy being worn against them in future November fixtures around Armistice Day.
Robertson wrote: 'We fully understand and respect FIFA's rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with commercial, political or religious symbols or messages. The FA do not intend to contravene these rules.

'However, the British public feel very strongly about this issue which is seen as an act of national remembrance to commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of their country. It is not religious or political in any way.
'Wearing a poppy is a display of national pride, just like wearing your country's football shirt. I hope very much that you will approve this request.'

FIFA'S JIM IS ONSIDE TOO

Armistice Day is a very important day in the FA calendar, as it is with other associations, and I don't think it would offend anybody to have a poppy on the shirts. Common sense should prevail.
JIM BOYCE
(Northern Ireland's FIFA-vice president)

The FA hope for a last-minute FIFA reprieve but know Belgium referee Frank de Bleeckere would be under orders from FIFA to ensure shirts adorned with poppies are not worn as things stand. He would apply the letter of FIFA Law 4 Decision 1, forbidding additional marks on shirts.
The FA are not  prepared to bring on such a confrontation in the tunnel before a sell-out match. The FA have been in dialogue with FIFA for weeks over the poppies, with the stand-off  first revealed in the Daily Mail leading to nationwide uproar led by war veterans.   
FIFA's obstinate stance  has remained consistent throughout and was reiterated once again to the FA  yesterday. An excerpt from the 'final statement' letter read: 'We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world jeopardising the neutrality of football. Therefore we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised. There are a variety of options where the FA can continue  supporting  Remembrance. One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of Silence.'

No favours: FIFAs Jerome Valcke (right), is refusing to let England wear poppies

The emailed letter came from Valcke, who is currently in Brazil on World Cup 2014 business, rather than  President Sepp Blatter, who spoke at the International Football Arena conference in Zurich on Monday. Afterwards he told reporters that the poppy issue was nothing to do with him and was being dealt with by the administrative side of FIFA.
However, FIFA's new ExCo member Boyce was prepared to speak out and called for common sense to prevail.
He said: 'I think there has to be a bit of common sense used when requests like this come in. Armistice Day is a very important day in the FA calendar, as it is with other associations, and I don't think it would offend anybody to have a poppy on the shirts.
'As this is a special request from a member of FIFA and is not of a political nature I believe that common sense should prevail and it should be looked at in a different light.'

Sphere: Related Content