MP DAMIAN COLLINS has written to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to urge him to allow Scotland and England players to wear poppies on their shirts in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley a week on Friday.
Collins, chair of the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport, wants the ban on players from both teams wearing at least an armband featuring a poppy to be lifted.
The nations meet on Armistice Day, but the poppy is deemed to fall under FIFA’s ban on political, religious or commercial messages on shirts.
A compromise was previously agreed back in 2011 when England faced Spain in a friendly at Wembley with players wearing armbands with printed poppies.
There is also backing from the Wales FA who want to wear poppies on their shirt against Serbia in Cardiff on November 12.
Collins’ letter to Infantino read: “In no way could the remembrance poppy be regarded as the kind of political, commercial or religious symbol that FIFA restricts from being displayed on shirts.
“Many people in the United Kingdom find it insulting and disrespectful that FIFA could regard it as such.
“FIFA have previously allowed the poppy to be worn by England players and I would urge you to reconsider on this occasion.
“It is clear as well that the wearing of poppies by the players for the match on November 11 has the support of both the English and Scottish football associations.
“In December 2014 people marked the centenary of the famous Christmas truce football match played in the trenches of the western front between soldiers from England and Germany. The decision to ban poppies stands in stark contrast to such heartfelt acts of remembrance.”
Scotland have been ordered to wear their pink strip at Wembley rather than the traditional colours.
