EPISODE 3: FIFA BAN POPPIES ON FOOTBALL SHIRTS

Heather Hayes
Nov 2, 2016
2 min read

FIFA made news headlines in mid-October after making a huge announcement that upset the FA which stated that they had made a decision to ban England, Scotland and Wales from being allowed to wear the poppy symbol on their football shirts on the international games. The Sun printed the headline "FIFA's Poppy Block" on the day the announcement was made that they were blocking England and Scotland players from wearing poppies on their shirts for the World Cup qualifier. The poppy is a symbol to remember the soldiers who have died serving the armed forces in war on the anniversary of the end of the First World War. However FIFA have banned players from wearing the symbol because they feel the poppy has 'political, religious or commercial message' which the organisation prohibits anything conveying these messages being displayed on the pitch. Fury erupted over the banning by the football's governing body over the symbol being a political statement. In the past at the last England international to fall close to Remembrance Sunday, a friendly against Spain in 2011, the poppy was taken off the players' shirts and worn on black armbands instead. Although both FAs have tried to uplift the ban, FIFA rejected the bids by both English and Scottish FA and are standing their ground on this. Recently the FA have now said they will defy FIFA's ban on poppies for the game even though they could face fine or even points deductions.

In this podcast I will be joined by guests Will Bradford and Jamie Alden with special guests Billy Grant from Pride of West London podcast Beesotted and and two ex-footballers; Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson and Eastleigh head coach Martin Allen both who have played for England. We talk about the message behind the poppies and what the represents to not just ourselves but to the whole nation. Additionally we look over the different news headlines ranging from The Sun, The Daily Mirror The Daily Mail to cover what they have been broadcasting about this topic. We debate about whether the reasons behind why FIFA banned the wearing of poppies were valid and whether we agree or disagree with the organisation. Not only do we give our own impressions on FIFA's decision but we debate how much credibility FIFA has after the scandal, as well as review what the public have to say about what's happened and whether people are sympathetic to the decisions and review what the public have to say about what's happened.